Symptoms of leukemia depend on the type and how fast cancer cells grow. Cancer cells crowd out the normal blood cells that help your body fight infections and make blood clots. Bruises, nosebleeds and heavier periods may occur because of this.
A family history of some types of leukemia can increase your risk. So can smoking and exposure to chemicals at work.
Bruises
Bruises are marks on the skin caused by broken blood vessels that leak red blood cells into surrounding tissue. Depending on the person’s natural skin tone, a bruise can appear black, blue, purple or dark green. It may feel tender or warm, and it can change color over time. Bruises can also turn into a rash that looks like tiny spots or larger blotches of color, called petechiae or purpura. Bruises are a common sign of leukemia because the cancer interferes with the body’s normal blood-clotting process. If you notice unexplained bruising, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Bruising is a typical symptom of some types of leukemia, especially acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children and adolescents, which develops when changes, or mutations, occur in the genetic material of bone marrow cells that make blood. The mutations prevent the marrow from making mature white blood cells, and instead it produces immature cells that cannot fight infections or defend the body against diseases such as the flu.
The resulting bruising can be in places where you wouldn’t expect it, such as your arms, legs or chest. Bruises are often more severe than normal and don’t disappear quickly. They may be accompanied by pain, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes.
If you get several bruises that are different colors, size or shape and aren’t explained by a recent injury, see your doctor. Easy bruising can be a sign of other conditions that affect the blood-clotting system, such as a blood disease or a liver problem. It can also be a sign of an autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, such as the blood vessels.
Other symptoms of leukemia include bone pain, fever and a feeling of fullness or bloating in the abdomen. It is also important to see your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing, which is a sign of leukemia in some cases. Bruises are also associated with leukemia in adults, particularly the chronic myeloid leukemia, which develops over months or years and is caused by a spontaneous mutation known as Philadelphia chromosome.
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy, are often the first sign of leukemia. They can be seen throughout the body, but they are most commonly found in the neck, armpits, groin area, and belly. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that work with your spleen and tonsils to protect you from harmful germs. They are able to do this by passing lymph fluid through them, which carries away damaged cells and infectious organisms from the blood. When an infection causes a large number of organisms to build up within a lymph node, it can swell.
The first time you experience swollen lymph nodes, they may go down in a few weeks or less if your body is successfully fighting an infection. However, if the lymph nodes are swollen for several weeks or they do not return to their normal size, it is important to contact your doctor.
You will need to undergo a blood test to determine if you have leukemia. Your blood will be tested for abnormal white blood cell counts, low red blood cell counts, and other indicators of cancerous or immature blood cells.
Your doctor will then examine your body, checking for other symptoms. He or she will also check your spleen, liver, and other lymphatic system organs. A chest X-ray, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done to look for signs of leukemia in your bones or organs. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, may be needed to see if the leukemia has spread to your brain and spinal cord.
Since many early leukemia symptoms mimic those of the flu and other common illnesses, it is important to be observant. If you notice any unusual symptom that persists for more than two weeks or appears alongside other warning signs, such as fever, fatigue, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or swollen glands, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. The sooner leukemia is diagnosed, the more likely treatment will be successful.
Not feeling well
Not feeling well can be one of the early leukemia symptoms. This is due to a lack of healthy blood cells, which can cause fatigue and make it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. It’s also common for those with leukemia to have a fever or night sweats. Fever is the body’s way of responding to infection, and it can lead to other signs and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes or joint pain.
If you’re experiencing these leukemia symptoms, it’s important to get them checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. They can then create a treatment plan that will help you to manage your condition and get better.
Symptoms of leukemia vary depending on the type of leukemia, how quickly it progresses and what types of blood cells are affected. Acute leukemia often has more severe and fast-growing symptoms than chronic leukemia. Some people may not have any symptoms at all and only find out they have leukemia through a routine blood test done for another reason.
Fatigue, bruising and a lack of energy are common in leukemia patients. These symptoms often resemble those of a cold or the flu, which is why they’re so easily mistaken for other conditions. Symptoms like these can be caused by many things, including stress, illness or an infection. If they persist for more than two weeks, however, it’s worth getting them checked out by your doctor.
Some people with leukemia have swollen lymph nodes, which are areas of the body that contain immune system cells. These can be found in the neck, armpits, groin area or belly. A swollen thymus gland is a rare symptom of acute lymphocytic leukemia, and it can cause swelling in the chest or arms. A rare complication of acute lymphocytic leukemia called superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the swollen thymus gland presses on a large vein in the chest, which can cause shortness of breath and a persistent cough.
A spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, can check whether the leukemia has spread to your nervous system. To perform this test, your doctor will numb the skin on your lower back, then use a needle to take a sample of fluid from the space between two bones in your spine. The sample will then be tested in the lab for cancer cells. Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs and X-rays can also help your doctor see how the leukemia is affecting your bones, organs and tissues.
Weight loss
The earliest symptoms of leukemia can be similar to the flu and may not be immediately recognized. However, anyone experiencing these signs should see a doctor, especially if they do not go away. Symptoms of leukemia include fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and chest area, bone pain, bruising easily, pale skin and unexplained weight loss.
The specific leukemia symptoms depend on the type of cancer. For instance, acute lymphocytic leukemia develops from immature white blood cells and can lead to enlarged lymph nodes, bleeding gums and a lack of energy caused by low levels of healthy red blood cells (anaemia). Acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, is a fast-growing form of the cancer that can cause a sudden and severe reaction in some people. It can cause breathing problems, a headache or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen on the left side, and may also lead to nausea or vomiting.
Acute myeloid leukemia may also cause a complication called septic shock, which can be life-threatening. This occurs when leukemia cells crowd out the blood cells that carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, is the most common form of the cancer in adults. It typically affects older people. Often, the first symptom of this cancer is a lump in the neck or armpit. The lump grows as the number of abnormal white blood cells increases in the body. Many people with CLL do not have any initial symptoms, and many get diagnosed by chance when they have a routine blood test for another illness.
Other types of leukemia can be harder to detect because they start more slowly and are less common. They can develop into a medical emergency if they affect the brain or spinal cord, which is known as leukostasis or blast crisis. This happens when the blood cancer forms in too many cells and puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It can also happen when the thymus gland, which is located in the center of the chest between the ribs on the front of the body, becomes too large and compresses the superior vena cava (SVC), which carries blood from your heart to your lungs.
