Approx 5000 adult cases p.a. (all types) in England and Wales.
75% occur in patients aged over 60 years, but all ages can be affected.
Risk factors include previous chemotherapy/radiotherapy and exposure to radiation.
Most cases are diagnosed following a blood count undertaken because of symptoms and/or signs of bone marrow failure (fatigue, pallor, bruising, bleeding, infections, etc).
Some leukaemias may present with lymphadenopathy and/or hepatosplenomegaly.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is an indolent disease normally diagnosed on blood film, which does not usually require urgent referral.
Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Approx 7000 adult cases p.a. in England and Wales.
67% of cases occur in patients aged over 60 years, but all ages can be affected.
Presenting features include:
Lymphadenopathy
Hepatosplenomegaly
Fatigue
Weight loss
Night sweats
40% present with tumour outside lymph glands.
Hodgkin’s Disease
Approximately 1200 new cases p.a. in England and Wales.
Over 50% of cases occur below the age of 40 years.
Clinical features similar to those for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (but 95% present with lymph gland involvement).
Myeloma
Approximately 3000 new cases p.a. in England and Wales.
99% of cases are aged over 40 years and 95% are aged over 50 years.
Clinical features include:
Bone pain +/- bone fractures
Symptoms of anaemia
Renal impairment
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or plasma viscosity may be grossly elevated.