Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Rawat died at the age of 74 on August 4, 2026, in Mumbai following a relapse of blood cancer. His death has once again brought attention to a group of cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system, and whose early symptoms can sometimes be easy to overlook.
Blood cancer is not a single disease but an umbrella term covering several cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Dr Sonal Jain (DM Hematopathology), Medical Director, Art of Healing Cancer (AOHC), explains what these cancers are, the warning signs that deserve attention, who may be at greater risk, how they are diagnosed and treated, and why timely medical evaluation matters.
What is blood cancer and what are its main types?
Blood cancers develop when abnormal blood cells grow uncontrollably, interfering with the production or normal functioning of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
"The three main categories of blood cancer are leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma," says Dr Jain.
Leukaemia usually starts in the bone marrow and results in the production of abnormal white blood cells. It can be acute, meaning it progresses rapidly, or chronic, where the disease develops more slowly.
Lymphoma, meanwhile, affects lymphocytes, the immune-system cells found in lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues. Its two principal forms are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. Dr Jain adds that other related conditions include myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Early symptoms of blood cancer you should know
One of the challenges with blood cancer is that its initial symptoms can be vague and may resemble common infections or nutritional deficiencies. According to Dr Jain, some warning signs to be aware of include:
- Persistent fatigue, weakness, pale skin or breathlessness: These symptoms may occur because of anaemia.
- Recurrent infections or fever: Abnormal white blood cells can interfere with the body's immune function.
- Easy bruising or unusual bleeding: "Easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, frequent nosebleeds or tiny red spots on the skin may indicate a low platelet count," Dr Jain explains.
- Unexplained weight loss and night sweats: Drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss and persistent fever can be among the warning signs.
- Swollen lymph nodes: Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin may occur.
- Bone or joint pain: Some people may experience persistent pain in their bones or joints.
- A feeling of fullness in the abdomen: This can also be among the symptoms associated with blood cancers.
- Symptoms associated with multiple myeloma: According to the doctor, these can include persistent back or rib pain, repeated fractures, excessive thirst, weakness and kidney-related problems.
Importantly, experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has blood cancer. "The key is not to panic over isolated symptoms, but also not to delay medical assessment when warning signs remain unexplained," says Dr Jain.
Who may have a higher risk of blood cancer?
Blood cancers can develop at any age, although some forms occur more commonly in children while others are more frequently seen among older adults.
Risk may be higher among people with a family history of certain blood cancers or particular inherited genetic conditions. Weakened immunity, autoimmune diseases, previous chemotherapy or radiation exposure and some chronic viral infections may also increase the risk.
Exposure to substances such as benzene has also been associated with an increased risk of particular types of leukaemia.
However, Dr Jain points out that having a recognised risk factor is not a prerequisite for developing the disease. Many patients have no identifiable risk factor at all.
Can blood cancer be prevented or screened for?
Unlike some solid tumours, most blood cancers cannot be reliably prevented through lifestyle changes. There is also no standard population-wide screening test for most people who do not have symptoms.
Routine blood tests can sometimes reveal unexplained abnormalities, but Dr Jain stresses that these do not constitute a definitive screening programme.
If symptoms persist or blood counts are abnormal, further investigation may be needed. Depending on the circumstances, this can include a complete blood count, peripheral smear, imaging, lymph-node biopsy or bone-marrow examination.
How blood cancer is treated
Blood cancers have become increasingly treatable, although there is no single outlook or treatment plan that applies to everyone. Outcomes can vary considerably depending on the exact subtype, stage and genetic characteristics of the cancer, as well as the patient's age and overall health.
Treatment options may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, radiotherapy, stem-cell transplantation or CAR-T-cell therapy.
Not every blood cancer needs to be treated immediately. Some slowly progressing forms may initially be managed through careful monitoring rather than starting treatment straight away.
Why early diagnosis of blood cancer matters
An early diagnosis gives doctors the opportunity to identify the precise subtype and choose an appropriate treatment strategy. It can also allow complications such as infections, bleeding, anaemia or organ damage to be managed promptly.
"Many blood cancers can now be controlled for years, and several forms are potentially curable," Dr Jain says.
For patients, the message is therefore one of awareness rather than alarm. Common symptoms can have many explanations, but persistent or unexplained changes should not simply be brushed aside. Getting them evaluated can help establish the cause and, when blood cancer is involved, open the door to timely and appropriate treatment.
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