Leukemia is a type of cancer that kicks in from the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones. This is where blood cells are produced. In leukemia, abnormal blood cells grow and divide too quickly. Symptoms of leukemia can vary depending on the type of leukemia you have. Here are 10 symptoms of leukemia that you should be aware of!
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of leukemia and can be one of the first signs that something is wrong. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of fatigue, as several different factors can cause it. However, fatigue in leukemia is often caused by anemia or a lack of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues, and without enough of them, the body cannot function properly.
Fatigue can also be caused by cancer cells crowding out healthy cells in the bone marrow, making it difficult for the body to produce new blood cells. In addition, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can also lead to fatigue. Fatigue from leukemia can be debilitating, but there are ways to manage it. Exercise and relaxation techniques can help to increase energy levels, and medications can be used to treat anemia.
Fever And Chills
Fever and chills are common symptoms of chronic leukemia, a blood and bone marrow cancer. The disease progresses when abnormal white blood cells grow out of control, crowding healthy blood cells and leading to infection. Fever occurs when the body’s immune system kicks into gear to fight the infection.
In addition, cancerous cells release chemicals that can trigger a fever. Chills may also occur as the body tries to raise its temperature to fight the infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor for a diagnosis. Early detection and treatment of leukemia can improve the chances of a successful outcome.
Easy Bruising Or Bleeding
Easy bruising or bleeding is an acute leukemia symptom, a cancer of the blood cells. The leukemia cells crowd out the bone marrow’s normal blood cells, making it harder for the blood to clot. It can cause easy bruising or bleeding. Easy bruising or bleeding from leukemia can occur anywhere on the body but is often seen on the skin or gums.
Easy bruising or bleeding can also occur internally in organs such as the brain or lungs. Easy bruising or bleeding from leukemia is often a sign that cancer has progressed and is becoming harder to treat. If you bruise or bleed easily, you must contact your doctor to receive treatment for your leukemia.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is a common symptom of leukemia, and various factors can cause it. One of the most common causes is anemia, in which the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. It can lead to fatigue and a lack of energy, making it harder for patients to maintain their normal weight.
Other causes of weight loss in leukemia patients include chemotherapy, which can cause nausea and vomiting, and bone marrow transplantation, which can damage the appetite center in the brain. In some cases, weight loss may also result from tumor growth, as tumors can release hormones that affect appetite.
Bone Pain Or Tenderness
Bone pain or tenderness is often one of the first symptoms of leukemia. Bone marrow is typically the soft tissue found inside bones that makes blood cells. In leukemia, cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd healthy blood cells. It makes it hard for the marrow to do its job, which is to make normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
As a result, people with leukemia may have a low number of circulating blood cells, leading to fatigue, increased infections, and easy bleeding and bruising. Bone pain occurs when the leukemia cells spread from the marrow into the surrounding bone tissue. The pressure of the growing tumor on the bone can cause pain.
Affected bones may feel sore or tender when touched. The pain is often described as a dull ache that worsens with activity or at night. Bone pain from leukemia can occur anywhere in the body but is most often felt in the hips, ribs, spine, or extremities.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
In leukemia, there is abnormal production of the white blood cells by the bone marrow. These cells crowd out the normal blood cells, which makes it hard for the body to fight infection. The abnormal cells can also spread to other body parts, including the lymph nodes.
They filter out bacteria and other harmful substances from the lymph fluid as it passes through them. When leukemia affects the lymph nodes, they become enlarged and may be felt as lumps under the skin, and they may cause pain or discomfort. In some cases, the swelling may be severe enough to cause difficulty breathing.
Enlarged Liver Or Spleen
The enlargement is caused by an accumulation of cancerous cells in the liver or spleen. These cells overcrowd the organ and prevent it from functioning properly. As a result, patients may experience pain, fatigue, and weight loss. In some cases, the enlarged organ may press on other organs or cause them to function improperly.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you must see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
Night Sweats
Night sweats are caused by the high levels of white blood cells in the body. White blood cells help battle infection and are an important part of the body’s immune system. However, the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells in people with acute myelogenous leukemia.
These excess white blood cells build up in the bloodstream and crowd out the healthy red blood cells and platelets. It can cause several problems, including night sweats. Night sweats are often one of the first symptoms of leukemia. They can occur suddenly and without warning.
Breathing Difficulties
The leukemia cells can crowd out the healthy cells in the lungs, making it difficult to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. In addition, the leukemia cells can produce fluids that build up in the chest and make breathing hard. Breathing difficulties can also be caused by treatments for leukemia, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments can damage the lungs’ lining and make breathing difficult.
Abdominal Pain
The pain may be caused by the cancer cells pressing on the stomach or intestines. In some cases, the pain may be caused by an increase in the spleen’s size, a common side effect of leukemia. The pain may also be caused by bleeding in the intestines or stomach. In rare cases, the pain may be caused by a fluid build-up in the abdomen or even prostate cancer.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you must see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to a successful outcome. Symptoms of leukemia can be subtle and easily mistaken for other illnesses. You must see your doctor for an evaluation if you have any concerns.
