Four signs of blood cancer found on the skin – what to look for

There are around 41,000 new diagnoses of blood cancer in the UK every year, making it the fifth most common form of the disease.

It affects the production and function of blood cells, which can have a devastating impact on the body.

There are three main groups of blood cancer: leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, of which there are multiple forms.

Symptoms can therefore depend on the type of blood cancer someone has.

However, charity Blood Cancer UK shared some more general signs of the disease.

It warned that there are four such signs that can appear on the skin.

These are:

• Unexplained bruising
• Lumps or swellings
• A rash or itchy skin
• Paleness (pallor).

But these can appear different or less obvious depending on your skin tone.

Bruising

Bruises generally start as red patches which change colour and get darker over time.

The charity says: “They often feel tender. On black and brown skin, bruises may be difficult to see initially, but as they develop, they show up as darker than the skin around them.”

Rashes

Rashes often appear as clusters of tiny spots (petechiae) or larger blotches (purpura).

The charity explains: “On black and brown skin, they may look purple or darker than the surrounding skin. On lighter skin, they typically look red or purple.

“If you press on them, petechiae and purpura don’t fade.”

Paleness

Paleness (pallor) might mean someone looks unusually pale because they have too few red blood cells.

The charity says: “Pallor is often more immediately noticeable in light skin. People with black or brown skin may look greyish and their palms may look paler than usual.

“They might also notice pallor in their lips, gums, tongue or nail beds. In all skin tones, pallor can be seen by pulling down the lower eyelid.

“The inside is normally dark pink or red, but if it’s pale pink or white, it’s a sign of pallor.”

Lumps

Any lumps or swellings linked to blood cancer will be caused by abnormal white blood cells building up in your lymph glands. These will most likely appear in your neck, armpit or groin.

The charity says: “They’re usually painless, although some people find they ache.

“If there are lumps or swellings further inside your body, and they press on organs such as your lungs, this can cause pain, discomfort or breathlessness.”

Other general symptoms that could indicate blood cancer include:

• Weight loss that is unexplained
• Bleeding that is unexplained
• Shortness of breath (breathlessness)
• Drenching night sweats
• Infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe
• Fever (38C or above) that is unexplained
• Pain in your bones, joints or abdomen (stomach area)
• Tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep (fatigue).

If you experience any of these symptoms you should speak to your GP.