Symptoms
Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. Depending
on the number of abnormal cells and where these cells collect, patients
with leukemia may have a number of symptoms.
Common symptoms of leukemia may include:
Fevers or night sweats
Frequent infections
Feeling weak or tired
Headache
Bleeding and bruising easily
(bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin)
Pain in the bones or joints
Swelling or discomfort in the
abdomen
(from an enlarged spleen)
Swollen lymph nodes, especially in
the neck or armpit
Weight loss
Such symptoms are not sure signs of leukemia.
An infection or another problem also could cause
these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see
a doctor as soon as possible. Only a
doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
In the early stages of chronic leukemia, the leukemia cells function
almost normally. Symptoms may not
appear for a long time. Doctors often
find chronic leukemia during a routine checkup—before there are any
symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they
generally are mild at first and get worse gradually.
In acute leukemia, symptoms appear and get worse quickly. People
with this disease go to their doctor
because they feel sick. Other symptoms
of acute leukemia are vomiting, confusion,
loss of muscle control, and seizures.
Leukemia cells also can collect in the testicles
and cause swelling. Also, some patients develop sores in the
eyes or on the skin. Leukemia also can
affect the digestive tract,
kidneys, lungs,
or other parts of the body.
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