Blood Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Blood cancers can develop quietly, often masking their early signs as minor health issues like fatigue or frequent infections. Many people dismiss these symptoms as stress or seasonal illnesses and put off further medical help. Timely detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. 

Understanding these warning signs isn’t about creating unnecessary stress. It’s about empowering yourself with knowledge that could save your life. Blood cancers affect thousands of people each year, but awareness and early intervention can make all the difference. 

We speak to Bilal Ahmad, M.D., a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute Southwest, to learn more. 

“If you have persistent fatigue, unexplained bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, fevers, drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss without trying to lose weight, swollen lymph nodes that don’t go away or other new and concerning symptoms, don’t ignore it,” Ahmad says. “A simple blood test and medical evaluation can provide answers and ensure timely treatment if a blood cancer is detected.” 

What is blood cancer? 

The basics: Blood cancer occurs when abnormal cells disrupt the normal production and function of blood cells in your bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system. Unlike other cancers that form solid tumors, blood cancers affect the liquid tissues of your body, making them particularly challenging to detect in early stages. Blood cancers primarily affect three types of blood cells in your body. 

There are many different kinds of blood cancers: 

• Leukemia – cancer of the bone marrow and blood cells, causing abnormal white blood cells. Examples include acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
• Lymphoma – cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which includes Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Myeloma – cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that produces antibodies. 

Your bone marrow serves as your body’s blood cell factory, producing billions of new cells daily. 

• When blood cancer develops, it interferes with this production process.
• Abnormal cells begin crowding out healthy cells.
• Your body struggles to maintain proper blood cell balance. 

The early signs of blood cancer 

Key warning signs: The warning signs of leukemia and other common forms of blood cancer often appear gradually and can easily be mistaken for less serious conditions. Many people experience these symptoms for weeks or months before seeking medical attention. The key is recognizing when these seemingly minor issues persist or worsen over time.  

• Persistent fatigue and weakness are often the first signs.
• Frequent infections can be a result of white blood cells that are affected. 
• Unexplained weight loss may be a symptom of cancer cells.
• Fever or night sweats may indicate that your body is undergoing the overall stress present during a growing cancer.
• Unusual bleeding or easy bruising can occur when cancer causes your platelet count to decrease.
• Swollen lymph nodes are common in blood cancers like lymphoma. 
• Bone pain or tenderness is another sign.
• Pale skin (due to anemia) may also be present.

Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest is often the first noticeable symptom. 

• This exhaustion feels different from typical tiredness after a long day.
• You may feel drained even after a full night’s sleep.
• Normal activities become increasingly difficult to complete. 

Frequent infections occur because your white blood cells aren’t functioning properly. 

• You might catch colds, flu or other illnesses more often than usual.
• Infections may take longer to resolve or keep returning.
• Minor cuts or scrapes may heal slowly or become infected easily. 

Unusual bleeding or bruising happens when your platelet count drops. 

• You may notice bruises appearing without remembering any injury.
• Bleeding from your gums during brushing becomes more common.
• Small, red spots (petechiae) may appear on your skin, especially on your legs. 

Unexplained weight loss can occur as cancer cells consume your body’s energy. 

• You may lose 10 pounds or more without changing your diet or exercise habits.
• Loss of appetite often accompanies this weight reduction.
• Clothes may become noticeably loose. 

Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin may signal lymphatic system involvement, which is a common symptom of lymphoma.  

• This kind of swelling is typically painless but persistent.
• They may feel firm or rubbery to the touch.
• Multiple lymph node areas may be affected simultaneously. 

Night sweats that soak your clothing or sheets can be particularly concerning.

• These sweats are more intense than those caused by a warm room.
• They may occur regularly, disrupting your sleep patterns.
• Fever may accompany these episodes. 

What puts you at risk for blood cancer? 

Risk factor overview: Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing blood cancer, though having risk factors doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the disease. Many people with multiple risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. 

Understanding these factors can help guide your decisions about screening, though.  

• A family history of blood cancer – more family members with cancer increase your risk
• Exposure to certain radiation or harmful chemicals (like benzene), especially for a long period of time
• A history of smoking cigarettes – smoking causes mutations in DNA leading to cancer
• Certain viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus)
• Weakened immune system or autoimmune diseases
• Older age
• Previous cancer diagnoses
• Genetic factors 

Previous cancer diagnoses significantly elevate your risk of developing secondary blood cancers. Certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments can damage healthy cells while fighting the original cancer. The risk typically increases several years after completing treatment. 

• Alkylating agents used in chemotherapy are associated with increased leukemia risk.
• High-dose radiation therapy to large areas of the body increases the odds of a future cancer diagnosis.
• The combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy compounds the risk. 

Genetic factors play an important role in blood cancer development. Some people inherit genetic mutations that make them more susceptible to these cancers. Family history doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the disease, but it warrants closer monitoring. 

• Down syndrome and other genetic disorders increase leukemia risk significantly.
• Inherited mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 affect multiple cancer types.
• First-degree relatives with blood cancer may indicate shared genetic susceptibility. 

Chemical exposure in occupational or environmental settings can trigger cellular changes leading to cancer. Long-term exposure poses greater risks than brief encounters. Workers in certain industries face higher exposure levels and an overall increased risk. 

• Benzene, found in gasoline and industrial solvents, is strongly linked to acute myelogenous leukemia.
• Formaldehyde exposure in manufacturing and laboratory settings increases risk.
• Agricultural pesticides and herbicides may contribute to blood cancer development. 

Smoking cigarettes introduces numerous carcinogens into your bloodstream that can damage blood-forming cells. The chemicals in tobacco smoke don’t just affect your lungs. They circulate throughout your body. Quitting smoking reduces your risk over time, though some higher level of risk will likely persist. 

• Acute myelogenous leukemia shows the strongest association with smoking.
• The risk increases with both the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the total years of smoking.
• Secondhand smoke exposure may also contribute to increased risk, though to a lesser degree. 

Family history of blood cancer suggests possible genetic predisposition or shared environmental factors. While most blood cancers aren’t directly inherited, certain genetic variations can increase susceptibility. Having a family member with blood cancer doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop it. 

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia shows the strongest familial clustering among blood cancers.
• Having multiple family members who have been affected suggests a higher genetic risk.
• Certain groups of people have increased susceptibility to specific blood cancer types. 

How is leukemia diagnosed? 

The diagnostic process: Leukemia diagnosis typically begins when routine blood tests reveal abnormal results or when persistent symptoms prompt medical evaluation. The diagnostic process involves multiple tests to confirm the presence of cancer, identify the specific type and determine the extent of the disease. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan. 

• Blood tests are often the first step.
• A bone marrow biopsy gives a much more definitive diagnosis. 
• Various other tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of cancer growth, including imaging tests (CT, PET scans), lymph node biopsy and genetic and molecular testing. 

Blood tests serve as the initial screening tool for detecting leukemia. 

• Complete blood count (CBC) allows doctors to look for abnormal numbers of different blood cell types.
• Blood smear examination allows doctors to see cell shape and appearance under a microscope.
• Flow cytometry identifies specific markers on cell surfaces to classify the exact type of leukemia. 

A bone marrow biopsy provides the most reliable confirmation of a leukemia diagnosis. 

• A small sample of bone marrow is extracted, usually from the hip bone.
• Pathologists examine the sample for abnormal cells and genetic changes.
• This test determines the percentage of cancer cells and helps guide treatment decisions. 

Additional testing may include genetic analysis and imaging studies. 

• Chromosome analysis identifies specific genetic abnormalities that affect prognosis.
• A lumbar puncture checks whether leukemia has spread to the central nervous system.
• CT scans or PET scans may evaluate organ involvement and overall disease extent. 

How is leukemia treated? 

Treatment for blood cancers might include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy, of which there are many different kinds, including proton therapy
• Targeted therapy with medications that attack specific receptors found on cancer cells
• Immunotherapy, which boosts the immune system to help kill cancer cells
• Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant
• Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy to help boost your immune system’s ability to find and kill cancer cells
• Supportive care, including blood transfusions and infection control 

Find a doctor at INTEGRIS Health now 

Taking action: If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms that concern you, don’t wait to seek medical evaluation. Early detection of blood cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes and quality of life. INTEGRIS Health offers comprehensive cancer care with experienced oncologists who specialize in blood cancers. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss any concerning symptoms. 

This article was medically reviewed by Bilal Ahmad, M.D., a board-certified physician in hematology and oncology.

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