Patient Information — Cairns Haematology

Patients Rare Diseases

When Inflammation Doesn’t Fit the Pattern: A Patient With Possible VEXAS Syndrome

Sometimes medicine follows predictable patterns. Other times it doesn’t. Recently I saw a patient whose symptoms did not neatly fit into any familiar diagnosis. He had been unwell for several years, seeing multiple specialists, undergoing many tests, and receiving different treatments — yet no single explanation tied everything together.

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026

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Patients

Monoclonal B-Cell Lymphocytosis (MBL): What It Means, Risk of Leukemia, and What Happens Next

Many people first hear about Monoclonal B-cell Lymphocytosis after a routine blood test. A doctor may say something like: "Your blood test showed a small population of abnormal B cells, called monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis." Naturally, this raises concerns. Is this cancer? Will it turn into leukemia?

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026

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Patients Non-malignant Haematology

Living With Mild Chronic Neutropenia: When “Abnormal” Blood Counts Are Actually Benign

A perspective from the clinic Yesterday I saw a patient whose story is actually quite common in haematology clinics. He had mild neutropenia — a slightly reduced neutrophil count — that had been present for as long as records existed, going back nearly 20 years. Over that time he had remained completely well, with no unusual infections or health problems.

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026

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Patients

Ivermectin, Fenbendazole and Cancer: A Conversation I Recently Had With a Patient

A short explanation for people who may have come across these claims online Recently, I saw a patient with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Like many thoughtful and proactive patients, he had been doing some reading online about possible treatments. During our conversation he mentioned that he had come across information suggesting that ivermectin could be used to treat cancer. He had even found a book promoting this idea.

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026

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General Non-malignant Haematology

Is my iron really high?

Is my iron really high? Iron levels are often checked when you go to see doctors with fatigue, malaise, or weakness or when your blood shows anaemia which requires further investigations. The problem with iron test is that it has 5 components which can give a variety of combinations, some are high and some are low and then the interpretation becomes challenging. I have therefore decide to take a look at the common iron test result which often leads to further investigations as well as you often being told that you have high iron levels and you need be venesected (blood letting).

Ivo Andrejco · 1 Mar 2026

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Patients

Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) happens when abnormal white blood cells make abnormal proteins called M proteins. M proteins don’t usually cause issues. Most people with MGUS don’t have symptoms. But a small percentage of people with this condition may develop blood cancer or a more serious blood disorder.

Ivo Andrejco · 1 Mar 2026

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