Leukemia Signs & Symptoms

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are four different types of leukemia, all of which cause the bone marrow to create abnormal white blood cells that divide and grow at an unusually high rate.

Fatigue

• Chronic or persistent fatigue often accompanies leukemia. The patient may also feel weak or lethargic. This is due to a lack of healthy red blood cells that provide oxygen to the muscles.

Swelling

• Swelling or fullness in the abdomen or just below the ribcage is a symptom of leukemia. The lymph nodes may also fill with white blood cells and swell.

Infections and Fevers

• People with leukemia are vulnerable to frequent infections and fevers because the white blood cells are mutated and unable to protect the body against illnesses.

Bleeding

• Leukemia can cause a person to bleed or bruise frequently and easily. A lack of platelets in the bloodstream makes it difficult for blood to clot.

Weight Loss

• A person with leukemia may experience a lack of appetite due to chemicals being released into the body from leukemia. The patient may also experience significant and unexplainable weight loss.