Blood cancer affects the function of your blood cells, as well as the production of blood. Blood cancers typically begin in the bone marrow, where blood is produced. The stem cells in bone marrow develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

With the majority of blood cancers, this blood cell development and production is interrupted. Uncontrolled growth of abnormal, cancerous blood cells, prevent your blood from performing its normal functions, including fighting off infections and preventing bleeding during injury.

The blood cancer specialists (hematologist-oncologists) of Northwestern Medicine are here to help patients diagnosed with blood cancer learn more about their disease and find the best possible treatment options available. Hematologist-oncologists are physicians with expertise in treating patients with blood cancers. Blood cancers can be rare, which is why it's important to seek out hematologist-oncologists to manage treatment.