Blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM), and chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) are very rare and complex diseases. They vary greatly between patients and are very different at the genetic, cellular, and cellular microenvironment levels. While some advances have been made over the last decades in treatment, many of these cancers still remain difficult to treat.
According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI), almost 700 people on average are diagnosed every year with blood cancers. The prognosis for survival varies a lot (see table below), but the haemotology research community continues to work on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for patients with these sometimes-aggressive diseases.
A lot of research is required in order to come up with better treatments for blood cancers. Blood Cancer Network Ireland has alleviated some of that problem for hematology researchers in Ireland by setting up a national blood cancer biobank.
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