Blood cancer is a general term for any cancer that affects the blood cells, bone marrow or lymphatic system. There are many different types of blood cancer including:
Our Haemato-Oncology team care for people with all types of blood cancer and related conditions.
People can be referred to the Haemato-Oncology team by their GP, or by other healthcare professionals (e.g. in other hospitals).
The team sees people with symptoms that could be blood cancer as well as those diagnosed with blood cancers.
Being referred to the Haemato-Oncology team does not always mean you have cancer – you might be referred to them just because you have symptoms that need to be checked by a specialist. We will explain this to you at your appointment.
We provide the specialist regional blood cancer service for Cheshire and Merseyside and surrounding areas.
We are also the regional centre for stem cell transplant (also known as bone marrow transplant).
About blood cancer
Find out more about how we care for different blood cancers and related conditions.
Faster diagnosis service
We run a special service for people with symptoms that could be blood cancer, in partnership with Liverpool University Hospitals. It is known as the faster diagnosis service.
People often need a number of different tests when they have symptoms that could be blood cancer. Previously it could take a couple of weeks for them all to be done.
The faster diagnosis service means people can have all the tests they need more quickly and conveniently than usual. As a result, they can find out what is wrong and start any treatment they need more quickly than usual.
Mark, 87, was referred to the service after routine blood tests showed his white blood cell count was raised. He also had a lump in his neck. He said:
“I have blood tests ever six months because I was treated for leukaemia almost 10 years ago. My GP asked me to make an appointment with the hospital after my latest blood test showed my white blood cells had gone off. I also had a lump on my neck.
“I booked my appointment in the clinic at Aintree Hospital and when I arrived a nice chap called Haydn met me and took me to get some more blood tests. Then I went and had the bone marrow biopsy as well. The next day I had a CT scan at Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre so it all happened within two days.
“My GP couldn’t believe how quick it all was. He said that’s the quickest he has ever heard of anyone having all their tests because it usually happens over a couple of weeks. I can’t fault it at all.”
Our team
The team consists of doctors, nurse consultants, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacy, research practitioners, administrative support and cancer support workers.
Our operational management team makes sure the service runs smoothly.
You can find full details for each team on their individual pages.
Dr Arvind Arumainathan
Dr Vikram Singh
Dr Jeff Smith
Dr Stella Williams
Dr Matthew Wells
Prof Nagesh Kalakonda
Prof Andrew Pettitt
Dr Gillian Brearton
Dr Stephen Hawkins
Dr James Seale
Dr Lynny Yung
Dr Muhammad Saif
Dr Tom Seddon
Dr Arpad (Gabe) Toth
Dr Iqbal Shahid
Dr Rachel Wells
Dr Nauman Butt
The Liverpool Haematology Support Group is a support group established in 2003 to support anyone in the region diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, and their families.
The group meet every month in Liverpool and all our welcome. For more information, please contact marylinda.boyne@nhs.net
