Signs of leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow that occurs when the normal, orderly production of bone marrow cells is disrupted, resulting in the production of immature bone marrow cells called a leukocyte outbreak. This leukocyte outbreak overwhelms normal bone marrow cells and reduces the number of normal blood cells. Let's list some common symptoms of the disease.

In its early stages, leukemia often has no symptoms, or symptoms develop slowly. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) progress more rapidly, and symptoms can worsen more quickly compared to chronic leukemia (CML and CLL).

Some symptoms of leukemia, such as night sweats, fever, and fatigue, often resemble those of the flu, leading to confusion. If you have the flu, your symptoms will likely subside, so if these symptoms persist for a long time, you should see a doctor immediately.

Signs of leukemia

- Fever, chills

- Fatigue, physical weakness

- Loss of appetite, weight loss

- Night sweats

- Bone and joint pain

- Stomach discomfort

- Headache

- Shortness of breath

- Frequent infections

- Easily bruised or bleeds

- Small red spots appear under the skin (hemorrhage).

Other potential symptoms of leukemia

Anemia:Low red blood cell count. Blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, so a low red blood cell count can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness.

Decreased white blood cell count:A decrease in the production of functional white blood cells (white blood cells) weakens the body's immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.

Decreased platelet count:Low platelet count in the blood. Platelets are blood cells responsible for blood clotting. A lack of platelets can lead to patients bruising or bleeding easily.

Swollen lymph nodes:Some patients experience swelling in the neck, armpits, or groin. This occurs when leukemia has spread to the lymph nodes.

Enlarged liver or spleen:The accumulation of abnormal blood cells in the liver or spleen can cause a feeling of fullness (loss of appetite) or swelling in the upper left side of the abdomen.

To confirm the diagnosis, blood tests and bone marrow examination are necessary. These tests will show a high white blood cell count, often containing immature white blood cells called fulminants. A low red blood cell count indicates anemia, and a low platelet count is also common (thrombocytopenia).

However, to confirm the diagnosis, bone marrow testing is necessary, involving aspiration and biopsy. Recently, bone marrow samples have also been used for more specialized tests such as cell line measurement, cytogenetic analysis, and specific molecular markers. Aspiration and biopsy often help confirm a leukemia diagnosis, while these specialized tests provide a clearer understanding of the exact type of leukemia and its prognostic indicators.

Bone marrow examination is usually performed in the pelvis at the back (called the Posterior Superior Pelvic Periosteum). For acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a lumbar puncture is also necessary. This procedure obtains fluid from the brain (called cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) to determine if there is leukemic infiltration, which is common with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Based on the signs and symptoms of leukemia, patients should proactively seek examination and treatment as early as possible.

According to VNN