Myelocytic Leukemia Symptoms

Myelocytic leukemia is a group of disorders that encompass the most common type of leukemia in adults. In myelocytic leukemia cases, too many immature cancerous cells accumulate in the bone marrow and destroy the healthy cells that produce normal blood cells. The leukemia cells enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs to continue growing and dividing. Small masses may form under the skin, as well as in the eyes and gums, as a result. Symptoms range from minor to life-threatening.

Anemia

• Anemia is one of the primary complaints of myelocytic leukemia patients. Caused by an insufficient amount of red blood cells that provide oxygen to muscles, anemia is indicated by a variety of symptoms that include a pale complexion, chronic weakness, fatigue and dizziness. Patients with anemia also frequently complain of feeling cold. According to the Mayo Clinic, the presence of anemia does not automatically indicate a myelocytic leukemia diagnosis. It can be caused by a wide range of other common disorders and in most cases is indicative of a lack of iron that is rectified by adding supplements to your wellness routine.

Easy Bruising or Bleeding

• Myelocytic leukemia can cause excess bruising and bleeding due to a low platelet count that makes it difficult for blood to clot properly. Frequent nosebleeds and bleeding from the gums may occur as a result. In addition, pinhead-sized bleeding sites called petechiae or purpura may appear within the skin after the smallest injury. This may also cause more severe complications such as hemorrhaging from the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, behind the eyes or inside the head.

Infection

• White blood cells fight infections within the body. When the immature cancerous cells created by myelocytic leukemia replace healthy white blood cells, they are unable to properly perform this function. According to the American Cancer Society, this affects the ability of the immune system to protect the body from infection, causing higher risk of infection to the patient. Frequent, more serious infections or those that are more difficult to recover from are typical of this type of leukemia.

Swollen Organs and Lymph Nodes

• Myelocytic leukemia patients may experience a sense of fullness or pain either in the upper abdomen or below the ribcage due to an enlarged spleen or liver. This occurs due to an excess of leukemia cells collecting in one or both organs. Leukemia cells may also cause lymph nodes to swell for the same reason. More severe symptoms include the painful buildup of leukemia cells in the bone marrow and joints.

Considerations

• Common symptoms of myelocytic leukemia may be caused by a variety of conditions, disorders and diseases. During the examination process, doctors investigate the general pattern of symptoms and order a battery of tests to rule out these conditions. The final diagnosis is based on the results of a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy indicating an elevated leukemic cell count in the blood, in addition to abnormalities in immature red blood cells, white cells and platelets.