Lymphoma is a blood cancer involving mature lymphocytes located at haematolymphoid or lymphatic tissue, such as lymph nodes, bone marrow, tonsils, adenoids, spleen, liver, digestive tract, and thymus.  There are two broad categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and within the category of NHL, is further subdivided into B- and T-cell lymphomas, and clinically categorised into aggressive or indolent lymphomas.  Symptoms The clinical phenotype is variable depending on the aggressiveness of the malignancy and body site involved. The clinical manifestations may include drenching night sweats and fever, unexplained weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes, and liver and/or splenic enlargement, bleeding, and…

There are four categories of leukaemia: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) found more commonly in adults, and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) more commonly presenting in childhood.  Symptoms The diagnosis is heralded by several clinical characteristics, such as bone pain, bleeding and bruising, fatigue, shortness of breath, and recurrent infections. In cases of ALL, patients may present with lymph node enlargement and abdominal distention owing to an enlarged liver and/or spleen.  In CML, early satiety and abdominal distention, features of a high white cell count, such as tinnitus, blurred vision, and headaches may potentiate…

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a blood cancer involving plasma cells, located in the bone marrow.   The function of plasma cells is to produce immunoglobulins assisting with immunological protection. The malignant clone produces large quantities of an abnormal immunoglobulin referred to as an M protein. The disease course waxes and wanes overtime.  Despite advances in treatment, MM patients eventually experience a relapse of the disease.  Symptoms The clinical manifestations include end organ dysfunction noted by high calcium levels, kidney failure, anaemia, unprovoked fractures, neurological manifestations, repeated infections, and bleeding.  MM may not cause overt symptoms in the early stages of the disease, however, as the disease develops,…