How to Identify the Symptoms of Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells responsible for fighting infections and diseases. It occurs when abnormal white blood cells invade healthy ones, leading to severe health issues. Leukemia can progress rapidly or slowly, and there are different types. It's crucial to learn how to recognize common symptoms of leukemia for timely treatment.

Check for flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include fever, fatigue, or chills. If they subside and you feel better after a few days, you might just have the flu. If the symptoms persist, you should seek medical attention. People with leukemia often mistake it for the flu or other infections. Pay particular attention to the following symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue or weakness
• Frequent or severe nosebleeds
• Recurring infections
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Red spots on the skin
• Excessive sweating
• Bone pain
• Gum bleeding

Consider the level of fatigue. Chronic fatigue is often an early symptom of leukemia. Since this is a common symptom, many people tend to overlook it. Weakness or lack of energy may accompany fatigue.

• Chronic fatigue differs from regular tiredness. If you find it hard to concentrate or your memory is worse than usual, you might be experiencing chronic fatigue. Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, sudden muscle pain, sore throat, or extreme exhaustion that lasts longer than a day.
• You may also notice weakness, such as feeling weak in the limbs, making physical tasks harder than usual.
• Besides fatigue and weakness, pale skin is another symptom to watch for. These changes could be caused by anemia, which occurs when hemoglobin levels in the blood are low. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and cells.

Monitor your weight. Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of leukemia and other types of cancer. This condition is called Cachexia (wasting syndrome). It is often subtle and might not immediately indicate cancer if it occurs alone. However, you should seek medical attention if you lose weight without changes in diet or exercise habits.

• Weight fluctuations are normal, but pay attention if the weight loss is gradual and consistent, even without any intention to lose weight.
• Weight loss due to illness often comes with feelings of low energy and fatigue.

Pay attention to bruising and bleeding. People with leukemia tend to bruise and bleed easily. This is partly due to low red blood cell and platelet counts, which leads to anemia.

• Be aware if you bruise easily from minor bumps or bleed excessively from small cuts. This is an important symptom to note. Additionally, be cautious if you experience bleeding gums.

Check your skin for small red spots (petechiae). These red spots appear distinctly and are different from the typical spots that occur after exercise or pimples.

• If you suddenly develop small, round, red spots on your skin, see a doctor immediately. These spots usually resemble a rash and appear in clusters on the skin.

Take note if you experience frequent infections. Leukemia damages healthy white blood cells, making individuals more prone to infections. If you often experience skin infections, sore throats, or ear infections, your immune system may be compromised.

Be mindful of bone pain or aches. Bone pain is not a common symptom, but it may occur. If you experience unexplained bone pain, it is advisable to undergo tests for leukemia.

• Bone pain caused by leukemia occurs when the bone marrow contains an excessive amount of leukemia cells. These cells can also migrate close to the bones or into the joints.

Understand the risk factors. Some individuals are more prone to leukemia than others. Although having risk factors doesn't guarantee the development of leukemia, recognizing them is crucial. You are at a higher risk of leukemia than the general population if:

• You have undergone cancer treatment through chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• You have a genetic disorder
• You smoke tobacco
• You have a family history of leukemia
• You have been exposed to chemicals like benzene

Physical health checkup. The doctor will assess whether your skin appears unusually pale, which could be due to anemia related to leukemia. They will also check for swollen lymph nodes, and if your liver and spleen are larger than usual.

• Swollen lymph nodes can also be a sign of lymphoma.
• An enlarged spleen may indicate various conditions, such as infectious mononucleosis.

Blood tests. The doctor will take a blood sample to test or send it to a lab to evaluate the levels of white blood cells or platelets. If the levels of these cells are significantly elevated, additional tests such as MRI, lumbar puncture, or CT scans may be recommended.

Bone marrow biopsy. During this test, the doctor will insert a long, thin needle into the hip bone to extract a sample of bone marrow. The sample will then be sent to the lab to check for leukemia-causing cells. Depending on the results, the doctor may recommend further tests.

Receiving the diagnosis. After a thorough examination, the doctor will provide a diagnosis. The diagnostic process may take some time due to waiting for test results. However, you will usually receive your results within a few weeks. If leukemia is detected, the doctor will specify which type of leukemia you have and discuss treatment options with you.

• The doctor will determine whether your leukemia is progressing rapidly (acute) or slowly (chronic).
• Next, the doctor will identify which type of leukemia cells are present. Lymphoblastic leukemia affects lymphocytes, while myeloblastic leukemia affects marrow cells.
• Adults can develop all types of leukemia. In contrast, children typically develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
• Both children and adults can be at risk for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), but the disease progresses faster in adults.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are more common in adults, and symptoms may appear after several years.