Blood Cancer Symptoms

Blood cancer has three major types: leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Though each of these cancers affects different parts of the blood, they all have similar symptoms.

Bone

• Blood cancer causes bone pain, especially in the pelvis, ribs, back and skull. It also makes the bones susceptible to fractures.

Digestive System

• Blood cancer affects the digestive system. Common symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting constipation and unexplained weight loss---as much as 10 percent of your body weight.

Lymph Nodes

• Blood cancer makes the lymph nodes swell, especially in your armpits, neck or groin. However, the swelling will be painless.

Immune System

• Blood cancer leaves you vulnerable to repeated infections such as sinusitis, shingles and pneumonia. Skin, bladder and kidney infections are also common.

Other Symptoms

• Blood cancer can also cause fatigue, night sweats, abdominal pain, chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing, extremely itchy skin and increased sensitivity to alcohol.