Scottish referral guidelines for suspected cancer: quick reference guide

Haematological Malignancies

Leukaemias, Lymphomas and Myeloma

• Blood count/film reported as suggestive of acute leukaemia or chronic myeloid leukaemia.*
• Lymphadenopathy (>1 cm) persisting for 6 weeks.
• Hepatosplenomegaly in the absence of known liver disease.
• Bone pain associated with anaemia and an elevated ESR.
• Bone x-rays reported as being suggestive of myeloma.
• Constellation of 3 or more of the following clinical features may also merit urgent referral:

Chronic lymphatic leukaemia in an older person may not require urgent assessment. Ideally all urgent cases should initially be discussed with a Consultant Haematologist.

Arrangements for biopsy of persistent abnormal lymph glands vary locally.

* Will normally be picked up in the laboratory and communicated to the GP for management to be agreed.