Leukaemia Symptoms

Common Leukaemia Symptoms

Common leukaemia symptoms can develop gradually or appear more quickly, depending on the type. The most commonly reported leukaemia symptoms include:

• Persistent tiredness or weakness

• Frequent or recurring infections

• Fever or a high temperature

• Easy or unexplained bruising or bleeding

• Pale skin

• Shortness of breath

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Unexplained weight loss

Other possible symptoms include bone or joint pain, night sweats, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the abdomen. Several other health conditions can cause the symptoms, so they do not by themselves confirm leukaemia.

Leukaemia Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Some leukaemia symptoms can occur when abnormal cells interfere with the production of healthy blood cells or affect organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.

The table below explains what some important leukaemia symptoms may indicate:

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that a person has leukaemia. However, persistent, worsening, or unexplained symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Why Do Leukaemia Occur?

Leukaemia occurs when the DNA of blood-forming cells changes and causes them to grow and divide abnormally. These abnormal cells then multiply uncontrollably and crowd healthy cells in the bone marrow. As these abnormal body cells build up, the body produces fewer healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

This reduction in red blood cells can cause anaemia. Since red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, anaemia can result in tiredness, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.

A reduction in healthy white blood cells can make it more difficult for the body to fight infections. This can cause a person to develop infections more often or take longer to recover from them.

Platelets help the blood to clot. When the platelet count becomes low, a person may bruise more easily or experience unexplained bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.

Leukaemia cells can also collect in areas outside the bone marrow. For example, enlargement of the lymph nodes can cause noticeable lumps or swelling, while enlargement of the spleen or liver can cause abdominal discomfort or a feeling of fullness. A build-up of abnormal cells in the bone marrow can also contribute to bone or joint pain.

Leukaemia Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Some leukaemia symptoms may indicate a serious complication and require urgent medical care.

Seek immediate medical attention for:

• Severe or uncontrollable bleeding

• Severe difficulty breathing or chest pressure

• Sudden confusion or loss of consciousness

• Seizures

• A severe or persistent headache accompanied by confusion, weakness, vision changes, or other neurological symptoms

• Fever accompanied by severe weakness or feeling seriously unwell

• Sudden swelling or redness of the face, neck, arms, or upper body

• Sudden swelling of veins in the neck or chest

• A persistent painful erection (priapism)

Some of these symptoms can occur with serious bleeding, severe infection, obstruction of blood flow, or very high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. If you or someone else experiences these complications, seek medical care immediately.

Symptoms of Leukaemia Based on Type

The table below outlines common leukaemia symptoms associated with the four main types:

Symptoms of Leukaemia in Women

Women who menstruate may experience unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) when a low platelet count affects normal blood clotting. Women may also experience persistent vulvovaginal infections due to a weakened immune system, and those who are pregnant face increased risks of pregnancy complications.

They may also experience other symptoms including persistent tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, unexplained bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss.

Symptoms of Leukaemia in Children

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukaemia in children, followed by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Symptoms can develop rapidly over days or weeks and may resemble common childhood illnesses, which means the symptoms should be assessed in context rather than used for self-diagnosis.

Possible leukaemia symptoms in children include:

• Tiredness or weakness

• Pale skin

• Fever or a high temperature

• Frequent or recurring infections

• Easy or unexplained bruising or bleeding

• Bone or joint pain

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Unexplained weight loss or reduced appetite

• Shortness of breath

• An enlarged or painful abdomen

Some children may also develop headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, weakness, or seizures if leukaemia cells affect the central nervous system. In children with certain forms of ALL, leukaemia cells may also collect in the testicles and cause painless swelling.

A child may not have all these symptoms, and many of them can be caused by conditions other than leukaemia. However, a persistent or unusual change in a child's health should be discussed with a doctor.

Can You Have Leukaemia Without Symptoms?

Yes, leukaemia can sometimes be present without noticeable symptoms. This is particularly possible with some chronic types of leukaemia, which may develop slowly and produce few symptoms in their early stages.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is frequently discovered when a routine blood test (such as a Full Blood Count/CBC) performed for another reason shows an abnormal blood count. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and early-stage acute cases can also occasionally be detected through routine blood tests before noticeable symptoms develop.

Acute leukaemias are more likely to cause noticeable symptoms because they can develop rapidly. However, symptoms vary between individuals, and the absence of symptoms does not necessarily exclude leukaemia.

There is no routine population screening programme for all types of leukaemia. When leukaemia is suspected, doctors generally use symptoms, physical examination, blood tests, and further investigations to determine the cause.

When Can Leukaemia Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Leukaemia symptoms can become life-threatening when abnormal cells severely interfere with normal blood cell production or cause complications that affect vital organs. The seriousness of these complications can vary depending on the type and stage of leukaemia.

The table below explains some serious complications that can occur with leukaemia and why they may require urgent medical attention:

Severe bleeding, serious breathing difficulty, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, or fever accompanied by severe illness should be treated as medical emergencies.

How are Leukaemia Symptoms Diagnosed?

The table below explains the main diagnostic tests and assessments that may be used when leukaemia is suspected.