Blood cancer (haematological cancer)

Blood cancers fall into three main categories:

  • Leukaemia, affects your white blood cells and is named according to the type of white blood cell it is affecting
  • Lymphoma, both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin, affects your lymphatic system
  • Myeloma (also known as multiple myeloma), which affects the plasma cells in your bone marrow.

We provide the best possible care for patients who are diagnosed with haematological cancer.

We provide support, information, counselling and education to you and your relatives and carers throughout treatment.

Contact us

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Main switchboard on 01392 411611

 

North Devon District Hospital 

Main switchboard on 01271 322577

Where will I be seen?

Northern Services

North Devon District Hospital 

North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB

 

Eastern services

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Level 1, Area R

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

 

 

Meet the team

Our dedicated team is made up of haematology consultants, specialist registrars, clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners and sisters. Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF), a registered charity that provides vital support to patients with blood cancer, funds one of our clinical nurse specialists and also funds a support worker, an aromatherapist and a part-time physio-technician.

Consultant Haematologists:

  • Dr David Veale
  • Dr Tony Todd
  • Dr Jason Coppell
  • Dr Paul Kerr
  • Dr Loretta Ngu
  • Dr Tom Coats
  • Dr Deyna Cardosa

Clinical Nurse Specialists:

  • Clare Fox
  • Claire Lovering

Services and treatments

The  Macmillan website explains more about the different types of treatments offered.

You can also find out more about the different types of treatment by visiting the NHS website. 

This includes:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Hormone treatment
  • Targeted therapy

Treatment for blood cancer

Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:

  • High-dose chemotherapy
  • Peripheral blood stem cell collection and re-infusion
  • Supportive therapies
  • Palliative care

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for most blood cancers. In some cases, targeted drugs can be used to try and control the cancer and stop it from growing.

Other treatments you may need include antibiotics and blood transfusions. Sometimes a stem cell transplant may also be needed to achieve a cure. Your treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team.

We care for patients with blood disorders and those receiving chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, supportive therapy and palliative care associated with haematological disorders. We receive planned day-case and outpatient visits, as well as planned inpatient and emergency admissions.

Supporting you

Having cancer can have an impact on every aspect of your life and on those around you. We understand that this is a difficult and often frightening time for you and your loved ones, which is why we have put together a wide range of information to help you live with and beyond cancer.

Some of these services are available locally, whilst others cover Devon and/or the South West Peninsula as a whole. 

Find out more

Patient information leaflets

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

Useful videos

We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

Find out more

Last updated: November 14, 2022.