7 Vague Symptoms of Leukaemia You Should Know
Leukaemia starts when the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow changes. It can’t develop and function normally in this condition. Leukaemia cells often behave like abnormal white blood cells, and treatments depend on the type, age and overall health of an individual.
Understand leukaemia, its different types and its symptoms in this guide.
What is Leukaemia and its Different Types?
Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood. It is characterised by the rapid growth of the abnormal blood cells, and this uncontrolled growth takes place in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is where the body’s blood cells are made.
Leukaemia cells are usually immature but still developing white blood cells. The term leukaemia comes from the Greek words for “white” (leukos) and “blood” (haima). Here are the different types of leukaemia:
- Acute lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common type of leukaemia in children, teens and young adults.
- Acute myelogenous leukaemia is the most common in adults. It is more common in older adults (over 65). It can also occur in children.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is the common chronic leukaemia in adults, usually common in individuals over 65. Symptoms may not occur for several years.
- Chronic myelogenous leukaemia is more common in older adults but can affect adults of any age. It rarely occurs in children. Symptoms may not occur for several years.
Moving ahead, understand the symptoms of leukaemia and when they usually appear. Understand when you might need Skin cancer screening from experts.
Leukaemia: 7 Vague Symptoms
| Symptoms | When Thy Typically Begin to Appear |
| Fatigue and Weakness | One of the most common and early signs of leukaemia is fatigue and weakness. It occurs as leukaemia cells crowd out healthy red blood cells, leading to anaemia. At first, the tiredness must feel like simple exhaustion, but it becomes constant over time. |
| Frequent Infections | As the white blood cells become abnormal, the immune system weakens. Infections such as colds, sore throats or fever appear more often than usual. They take a longer time to heal and typically show up in early to mid stages. |
| Unexplained Bruising or Bleeding | In this individual might suffer from frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums or small red spots on the skin. These spots are known as petechiae. These signs develop as platelet counts fall, often appearing slightly later as the disease progresses. |
| Pale Skin | Reduced red blood cell production leads to noticeable paleness or a washed-out appearance, often visible in the face or lips, and may accompany fatigue in the early phases. |
| Bone or Joint Pain | Leukaemia cells can accumulate in bone marrow, causing dull aches or sharp pains, particularly in long bones like arms and legs. This symptom usually develops after mild signs. |
| Swollen Lymph Nodes | Painless swellings, especially around the neck, armpits or groin. It occurs when leukaemia cells spread to the lymphatic tissues. It often appears in intermediate stages. |
| Unexplained Weight Loss | These systemic symptoms reflect the body’s reaction to cancer growth and are often noticed in later stages. Night sweats are one of the symptoms of leukaemia, so inform your healthcare professional as soon as you start noticing these symptoms. |
FAQs: Leukaemia and Early Symptoms
Q1. What are the early symptoms of leukaemia?
Fever, chills, persistent fatigue, weakness, severe infections, infections that don’t heal, tiny red spots, recurrent nosebleeds, swollen lymph nodes and unexplained weight loss.
Q2. What treatment options are available for leukaemia?
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for many types of leukaemia. Radiation therapy can be used to target areas of the body where leukaemia cells have built up.
Q3. What to expect in a leukaemia diagnosis?
Physical exam with your healthcare professional includes a discussion of symptoms and further tests you might need for the perfect diagnosis. It may involve looking for signs, and swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen or liver.
Q4. What are the different types of blood cancers?
Leukaemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorder and multiple myeloma.
Final Thoughts
At SCCQ, your skin cancer experts can help you detect the symptoms at an early stage so that your diagnosis and treatment can be continued without further delay and you get the higher sucess rates. A professional team work closely on identifying signs and symptoms and providing effective treatment options based on your needs.
Skin cancer screening at SCCQ ensures the results are accurate and professionals work accordingly to provide effective results with advanced technology and training. Get your consultation done today to avoid complications tomorrow!
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