Blood Cancer Specialists in Melbourne
Blood cancers, also known as haematological malignancies, are cancers that arise from blood-forming cells, the bone marrow or the lymphatic system. Unlike many solid cancers, they may not form a single tumour that can be removed surgically. Instead, abnormal blood cells can circulate in the bloodstream, accumulate in the bone marrow or involve lymph nodes and other organs. The main groups include leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative neoplasms and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care provides specialist haematology assessment and treatment in Melbourne for people with a confirmed blood cancer, a suspected haematological malignancy, or abnormal blood tests that require further investigation. The practice brings together clinical and laboratory haematologists with strong links to Northern Health and other major Melbourne haematology services. This is important because diagnosis often depends on combining the clinical picture with blood films, flow cytometry, bone marrow testing, molecular studies and imaging.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that around 20,000 people would be diagnosed with a blood cancer in Australia in 2025, representing about 12% of all cancer diagnoses. Blood cancer is an umbrella term covering many different diseases; non-Hodgkin lymphoma was estimated to be the most common blood cancer, followed by multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Leukaemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells and is broadly divided into acute and chronic forms, including acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Some leukaemias develop quickly and require urgent treatment, while others may be found incidentally on a blood test and can sometimes be observed for a period before treatment is needed.
Assessment may include repeated blood counts, examination of a blood film, flow cytometry, genetic or molecular testing and, in selected cases, a bone marrow biopsy. Treatment is tailored to the exact subtype, age, fitness, genetic features and treatment goals and may include chemotherapy, targeted medicines, immunotherapy or referral for transplant-based care.
Lymphoma develops from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and includes Hodgkin lymphoma and many different non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes. Patients may present with enlarged lymph nodes, fevers, drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue or abnormal blood tests, although some lymphomas are found unexpectedly on imaging or biopsy.
Diagnosis usually requires a tissue biopsy so the precise lymphoma subtype can be identified. PET/CT or other imaging may then be used to determine the extent of disease. Depending on the subtype, lymphoma may be managed with observation, antibody-based therapy, chemotherapy, targeted treatment, immunotherapy or combinations of these approaches.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, which normally help the immune system produce antibodies. Abnormal plasma cells can produce a monoclonal protein, sometimes called a paraprotein, and may affect the bones, kidneys, blood counts or calcium level. Related conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smouldering myeloma do not always require immediate treatment but do require appropriate risk assessment and follow-up.
Investigation may include blood and urine protein studies, free light chains, imaging and bone marrow examination. Modern myeloma treatment may use several drug classes in combination, with treatment chosen according to disease biology, patient fitness and whether stem cell transplantation is appropriate.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are chronic bone marrow disorders in which the marrow produces too many blood cells. They include polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia and myelofibrosis. Patients may be referred because of persistently high haemoglobin, platelets or white cells, blood clots, headaches, itch, an enlarged spleen or an incidental abnormal blood count.
Diagnosis often combines blood results with molecular testing for mutations such as JAK2, CALR or MPL and, when required, bone marrow examination. Management focuses on reducing complications such as thrombosis, controlling troublesome blood counts and symptoms, and monitoring for changes in the disease over time.
Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of bone marrow disorders in which blood cell production becomes ineffective and abnormal. They most commonly cause low red cells, white cells or platelets and are more frequent with increasing age, although they can occur earlier. Because low blood counts have many possible causes, diagnosis requires careful exclusion of nutritional, medication-related, inflammatory and other marrow problems.
A bone marrow biopsy with chromosome and molecular testing may be needed. Management ranges from observation and supportive treatment to medicines that alter marrow function, transfusion support and, for selected patients, consideration of stem cell transplantation.
A blood cancer assessment usually begins with a detailed history, physical examination and review of previous blood results. The pattern and speed of change in the full blood count can be as important as a single result. Additional tests may include blood film review, iron and vitamin studies, kidney and liver tests, protein electrophoresis, immunophenotyping, cytogenetic or molecular tests and imaging. A bone marrow biopsy is recommended when it is likely to provide information that will change the diagnosis, staging or treatment plan.
Once a diagnosis is established, the haematologist explains the specific subtype and whether treatment is required immediately. Blood cancers vary enormously: some need urgent therapy, while some chronic conditions can be monitored safely. Prognostic and molecular tests can help estimate how a condition is likely to behave and may identify treatments that target a particular biological pathway. If a bone marrow examination is recommended as part of the assessment, you can read more on our Bone Marrow Biopsy page.
Treatment may involve chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapy, targeted oral medicines, transfusion support or other supportive treatments. Some patients may be referred to a tertiary centre for stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies or a clinical trial. Northern Blood & Cancer Care works in conjunction with Northern Health and other Melbourne services so that patients can be linked with higher-complexity treatment when required while maintaining continuity with their local specialist.
Supportive care is also central to blood cancer treatment. This can include preventing or treating infection, managing anaemia or low platelets, addressing bone health, monitoring kidney function, reducing clotting risk and helping patients manage fatigue and the practical effects of treatment. The aim is not only to treat the malignancy, but to support the person through diagnosis, active therapy, remission monitoring and long-term follow-up.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care brings together Melbourne specialists with complementary clinical, hospital and research appointments. The clinicians most closely associated with this service include:
Blood cancers can require highly specialised diagnosis, long-term monitoring and access to increasingly complex therapies. Northern Blood & Cancer Care brings together experienced clinical and laboratory haematologists with expertise across leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myeloproliferative neoplasms and myelodysplastic syndromes, supported by strong links with Northern Health, tertiary haematology services and clinical trials when required.
Northern Blood & Cancer Care brings together a highly experienced team of haematologists, medical oncologists and specialist physicians, with consultations available at Northern Private Hospital in Epping.
Contact our team to arrange an appointment or discuss a referral.
