Symptoms
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
Leukemia shares symptoms with other bone marrow diseases. Its most visible signs include the fatigue, pallor, tiring easily and shortness of breath that come with anaemia.
Infections caused by a weakened immune system, and — because platelets are affected — nosebleeds, dental and gum bleeding, unexpected bleeding under the skin, bruising, and pinhead-sized red spots on the skin (petechiae) are all among the symptoms of leukemia.
Loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, feverish infections that treatment cannot bring under control, bone pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, and swelling of the gums and abdomen are the findings particularly associated with acute leukemia.
Symptoms of leukemia in children
Leukemia accounts for roughly 30% of childhood cancers and is most common in children aged 2 to 5 and 5 to 10. In their first six to eight months newborns draw on the immune support they receive through breast milk; after that, up to the age of two, they build their own immune system. Viral infections in this period can trigger leukemia.
Rickets at these ages, and the vitamin D deficiency that comes with it, play a supporting role in the development of blood cancer. That is why it matters to take children out into the sun in suitable weather and at the hours their doctor recommends.
- Paleness and fatigue
- Recurring fever
- Bruising and bleeding
- Bone pain
As leukemia progresses, symptoms can also arise when tissues and organs beyond the bone marrow become involved. If the cancer metastasises to the central nervous system, for example, it can cause headache, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
Beyond the central nervous system, leukemia can also spread to the lungs, the digestive tract, the heart, the kidneys and the testes, causing complaints specific to those areas.
Symptoms of leukemia in children
As leukemia progresses, symptoms can also arise when tissues and organs beyond the bone marrow become involved. If the cancer metastasises to the central nervous system, for example, it can cause headache, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
Beyond the central nervous system, leukemia can also spread to the lungs, the digestive tract, the heart, the kidneys and the testes, causing complaints specific to those areas.
- Paleness and fatigue
Fatigue that will not lift
Pallor, tiring easily, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
- Recurring fever
Fever that keeps returning
Frequent infections and prolonged fever with no identifiable cause.
- Bruising and bleeding
Bleeding and bruising
Easy bruising, gum and nosebleeds, small red spots on the skin.
- Bone pain
Pain and swelling
Bone and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.