Cancer
Blood Cancer
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center offers the newer cancer therapies that aren’t available at other hospitals. Our leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma programs are the largest of their kind in the region.
Medically reviewed by Theodore Wun, M.D. on June 20, 2023.
Personalized Care for Blood Cancers
At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, we provide the latest diagnostic techniques, precision treatments and access to clinical trials of cutting-edge therapies. We have a specialized team entirely devoted to blood cancers.
On this page
Types of Blood Cancer
Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, happen when your body can’t make certain blood cells properly.
The main types of blood cancer are:
- Leukemia occurs when your bone marrow white blood cells do not properly develop. There are several types of leukemia.
- Lymphomas affect lymphocytes, which normally help fight infections. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin.
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells normally make antibodies to fight infection.
Blood Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of blood cancer. Some people have only mild symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Blood cancer symptoms may include:
- Mild bleeding or bruising easily
- Fatigue or weakness
- Frequent infections and fevers
- Heavy night sweats
- Pain in your abdomen, bones or chest
- Swelling in your abdomen or lymph nodes
- Unexplained weight changes
Emergency Symptoms
Call 911 or get medical attention right away if you experience:
- Bleeding that will not stop or extensive bruising
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty thinking
- Loss of vision
- Weakness on one side of the body
Blood Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Changes in the DNA (mutations) of your blood-forming cells cause blood cancer.
There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing blood cancer:
Age
Age risk varies by type of blood cancer. Some blood cancers are more common in children, and others are more common in older adults.
Chemical or Radiation Exposure
Exposure to benzene, chemotherapy drugs and pesticides raise your risk of some blood cancers. Radiation exposure may also raise your risk.
Certain Conditions and Infections
Certain infections raise your risk of blood cancer. Infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and the bacteria Helicobacter pylori increase your risk.
Family History
Having a close relative with a blood cancer may raise your risk.
Inherited Conditions
Down syndrome and certain inherited immune disorders increase your risk of blood cancer. You can also inherit certain genes that make you more likely to develop leukemia.
Race
Black people are at higher risk for myelomas, and Caucasians are at higher risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for leukemia.
Suppressed Immune System
Taking immunosuppressant drugs may increase your risk.
Diagnosing Blood Cancers
We use the most advanced methods for diagnosis. A team of hematology specialists work together to diagnose both common and rare blood cancers.
Tests to diagnose blood cancer include:
- Biopsy: A physician removes tissue samples so a pathologist can check the cells for cancer.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: A pathologist examines a sample of bone marrow — blood and a tiny piece of bone from inside your hip bone.
- Blood tests and blood chemistry studies: Standard blood tests and measures of specific substances linked to blood cancers or organ function.
- Imaging tests: Scans such as CT, MRI, PET (positron emission tomography), ultrasound and X-ray create pictures of your bones and organs. These tests reveal abnormalities that may be signs of cancer.
- Spinal tap: Your physician removes some of the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord with a needle. A pathologist examines the fluid for signs of blood cancer.
- Urine tests: Certain substances in urine can be a sign of blood cancer.
Blood Cancer Treatments at UC Davis Health
Clinical trials at UC Davis offer opportunities to receive the most current and effective therapies. Our Division of Hematology and Oncology is revolutionizing highly personalized treatments.
At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, we create a treatment plan that is unique to you. The therapies you receive depend on the type of blood cancer you have and other factors. Most blood cancers require a combination of different types of treatment.
Immunotherapy
Specialized drugs help activate your immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs stop the growth or production of cancer cells. Learn about our infusion center.
Other Drug Therapy
Corticosteroids, a type of steroid hormone, may be part of lymphoma treatment.
Plasmapheresis
For this myeloma treatment, your blood goes through a machine that removes cancerous plasma. You then receive your blood cells back along with replacement plasma.
Radiation
High-energy radiation destroys cancer cells and keeps them from growing. Explore our Department of Radiation Oncology.
Stem Cell Transplant
You may receive new blood stem cells after high doses of radiation or anti-cancer drugs. The stem cells help your body make new blood cells. Read about our Stem Cell Transplant Program.
Surgery
Surgical removal of tumors or cancerous tissue may be part of the treatment. Meet our team of cancer surgeons.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy drugs are tailored to only destroy cancer cells.
Cellular Therapy
This treatment uses your own blood cells that have been genetically modified to attack blood cancer cells. UC Davis is leading the way to bring this highly innovative therapy to more people.
Preventing Blood Cancers
Many causes of blood cancers are not preventable. You can lower your risk of blood cancers by avoiding radiation and chemical exposure.
Lifetime risk
1.6%Of men and women will be diagnosed with leukemia
A new blood cancer diagnosis occurs every
3Minutes in the U.S.
Source: National Institutes of Health: Cancer Stat Facts: Leukemia
Source: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Facts and Statistics Overview
Request an Appointment
Our cancer specialists provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Learn more about how to make an appointment at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Patients
New Patient Referral Office
UC Davis Health Referring Physicians
For providers in UC Davis Medical Group or our Cancer Care Network
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External Referring Physicians
For providers who are external clinicians
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Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospital in diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, and orthopedics*. (*Together with Shriners Children’s)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, ovarian cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, uterine cancer surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and orthopedics.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
“Most Wired” for acute care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
“Most Wired” for ambulatory care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 11th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality.”
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