Haematological cancers

Key Staff

Consultant team:

  •    Dr Shalini Solanki – Clinical Lead, Lead for Haemostasis and Thrombosis
  •    Dr Betty Cheung, Transfusion Lead, Joint Cancer lead
  •    Dr Stella Kotsiopoulou, Lead for Haemoglobinopathies
  •   Dr Lauren Ellis, MDT lead, Joint Cancer Lead 

Haematology Nursing  team:

Haematology day unit - Tel: 02084014596/3670

  •    Jackie Green, Haematology Nurse Consultant
  •    Caroline Hagan, Senior Specialist haematology nurse
  •    Alison Fernando, Senior Haematology Clinical nurse specialist
  •    Mariamma Diablo, Haematology Clinical nurse specialist
  •    Durgapavani Kotari,  Haematology nurse
  •    Obuor Amoako, Day unit nurse 
  •    Patrizio Orru, Day unit nurse  

Administration support - Tel: 02084013026/3594/5820

  •    Zoe Griffin, Haematology Secretary
  •    Valarie Adamson, Haematology secretary
  •    Aziza Amasai, Assistant Patient pathway Co-Ordinator

 

About haematological “blood” cancer

Blood cancer is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. Over 40,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, and over

250,000 people are currently living with blood cancer (Source Blood Cancer UK, 2024).

Leukaemia ,  Lymphoma and  Myeloma are some of the more common types of blood cancer. There are also types called Myeloproliferative neoplasms ( MPNs ) and Myelodysplasia ( MDS ).

They each have different symptoms, treatments and prognoses. (Prognosis is the medical term for what is likely to happen in the future.) There may also be several sub-catergories. For example, types of lymphoma include Hodgkin lymphoma and non - Hodgkin lymphoma , acute and chronic. Types of leukaemia include  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) Chronic Myeloid leukaemia (CML) and A cute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).  If a blood cancer is diagnosed,  the patient will have a consultation to discuss the type of blood cancer and potential treatment options.. 

Some types of blood cancer affect children. Symptoms and treatment can be different between children and adults.

 

What are the tests to confirm the diagnosis?

  If a GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have cancer, you'll have tests to check for cancer which can include:  

These tests can help find out which specific type of blood cancer you may have . The results of these tests can show the stage/extend of your cancer, and give an indication as to the overall prognosis. You may continue to have these tests for monitoring purposes and/or before, during or after treatment. This will also help your specialist team decide what treatment you need .  

Macmillan information: A - Z Diagnostic tests

 

What treatment are available?

There is a range of different treatments for blood cancer. You might have one type of treatment or a number of them, depending on the type of blood cancer you have. Common blood cancer treatments include: 

If you  have a slow-growing blood cancer, you may not need treatment straight away, and some people never need it. This is called being on watch and wait.

Treatments are offered in collaboration with the Royal Marsden Hospital.  

Our specialist treatment team will:

  •        Explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
  •        Work with you to make a treatment plan that is best suited or you 
  •        Help you to manage any side effects of treatment

Macmillan information: Making treatment decisions

Macmillan information: A - Z treatments - drugs

Macmillan information: After Treatment

     

Personalised Cancer Care  

Personalised cancer care allows you to take an active role in the way your care is planned and delivered by identifying your concerns and support needs. It puts you in control of your care, with help from your specialist cancer team.

There are lots of things you can do to look after your own health during and after cancer treatment. Some of this can be done without the involvement of your clinical team, such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Here  are the key elements of personalised care for our cancer patients: 

  •             Personalised Assessment and Care Planning
  •             Access to health and wellbeing information and support
  •             End of treatment summaries to support you with understanding and managing impacts of cancer—also shared with your GP so they can also support you.
  •             Stratified Follow up when you have finished treatment or are living with cancer. 

Read the Personalised Cancer Care Guide  for newly diagnosed patients at Croydon Health Services.

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Additional information and support