COMMON SYMPTOMS OF LEUKEMIA

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF LEUKEMIA

LEUKEMIA- Common Symptoms Common Symptoms of Chronic Leukemia or Acute Leukemia Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck or armpit) that can be painful. Lymph nodes are the regions where blood cleanses itself and can drain the excess leukemic cells in these regions. This will result in swelling and inflammation and makes these lymph nodes prone to infections and lymphitis. Fevers or night sweats Frequent infections – this is because the number of increased white blood cells are immature and do not have the ability to fight bacterial and viral infections efficiently as under normal conditions. The accumulation of these immature white blood cells in the bone marrow will also result in reduction of bone marrow cells required for the synthesis of blood platelets. Hence, there will be excessive bleeding or development of pinprick bleeding (petechiae) due to a disturbance in the blood clotting process resulting in malformed blood clots, and thus one can frequently see purple patches of blood clots. Feeling weak or tired Bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin Swelling or discomfort in the abdomen causing pain that may result in loss of appetite and weight Weight loss for no reason Pain in the bones and joints because of cell proliferation in the bone marrow Unexplained fevers Blurred vision Balance problems Shortness of breath or dyspnea when the cells accumulate in the chest resulting in pain and difficulty in breathing seeking immediate medical attention Loss of muscle control and seizures Anemia – there will be reduction in the number of red blood cells and platelets and hence will there be a reduction in the possibility of ability to carry oxygen leading to a number of other related symptoms. However, common are these symptoms for other infections also and so only, a doctor can tell for sure what is what. The good thing about leukemia is that a simple blood test could be able to help you to diagnose and respond appropriately. The difference between acute and chronic leukemia is that in chronic leukemia the symptoms do not appear until the disease is diagnosed until the later stages after development of cancer in the blood while in acute leukemia the symptoms are diagnosed immediately and easily.