Leukemia Symptoms
The severity of leukemia symptoms is heavily dependent on the absolute number of abnormal white blood cells and the place where accumulation of these cells takes place. It is easy to miss early leukemia symptoms since they usually resemble the symptoms of flu and related, commonly encountered illnesses.
Even though each type of leukemia has its own set of symptoms, there are some common leukemia symptoms that include persistent fatigue, lethargy, frequent infections, fever, chills, loss of appetite, easy bruising and / or bleeding, loss of weight, pain or tenderness in the bones, swollen lymph nodes, enlargement of liver or spleen, petechiae (small red marks on the skin) and shortness of breath on physical exertion.
Leukemia Symptoms
In case of a gradual onset of leukemia, symptoms may resemble those of general illness or anemia. Children lack energy and appear paler than their counterparts while adults are lethargic and exhibit shortness of breath on even minor exertion. In cases of the onset of acute leukemia, symptoms may be reminiscent of influenza or an upper respiratory tract infection. When the expected recovery does not occur, further investigations are carried out and they reveal the presence of leukemia.
Leukemia symptoms may be further compounded by anemia, hemorrhages and severe infections with enlargement of lymphoid tissues. Another associated leukemia symptoms - anemia - is constant and varies in grade and normally maks the symptoms of the underlying leukemia. The tendency to hemorrhage depends on the severity of blood platelet loss (called thrombocytopenia) and may be very severe in cases where platelet loss is substantial and may announce its presence with petechia, easy bruising and nose bleeds (epistaxis). The liver, spleen and lymph nodes may be enlarged and the gums may be swollen, bleeding and infected in acute leukemia. Symptoms like bone tenderness and pain are also encountered though not very common.