There isn't one single "biggest" indicator, but persistent, unexplained fatigue/weakness, frequent infections, easy bruising/bleeding, and unexplained weight loss are hallmark signs, often stemming from low healthy blood cell counts, especially in acute leukemia where symptoms appear suddenly. Key early signs often seen in blood tests include high white blood cells or low red cells/platelets, while common symptoms point to problems with infection (fever), oxygen (pale skin/breathlessness), and clotting (bruising).
Leukemia symptoms include: Weakness, tiredness and fatigue. This can be caused by the leukemia itself or by the low levels of hemoglobin seen in many leukemia patients. Fever and frequent infections due to low counts of healthy white blood cells.
Leukemia in children is most often diagnosed based on blood or bone marrow results. In rare cases, a large lymph node may be the main symptom of a new leukemia. In these cases, a lymph node biopsy may be done to make a diagnosis.
High white blood cell counts
A high white blood cell count is called leukocytosis. It's a common characteristic of leukemia. People with leukemia may also have: High neutrophils are called neutrophilia.
Some people with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes have bone or joint pain. This bone pain is most often felt in the long bones of the arms and legs, in the ribs, and in the breastbone.
Leukemia symptoms commonly include fatigue, breathlessness, infections, and bruising or bleeding more easily. Leukemia* symptoms vary depending on the type of leukemia. Not everyone gets the same symptoms, and you won't necessarily have all of the symptoms.
Leukemia spots, called petechiae, look like tiny, flat, pinpoint-sized red, purple, or brown dots that appear in clusters, often on arms, legs, or the mouth, and importantly, do not fade or turn white when pressed. They form from broken capillaries due to low platelets, resembling a rash but are actually tiny bleeds under the skin.
In the initial stages of diagnosing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), your GP will check for physical signs of the condition and arrange for you to have blood tests. A high number of abnormal white blood cells, or a very low blood count in the test sample, could indicate leukaemia.
Symptoms of leukemia
Your doctor will conduct a complete blood count (CBC) to determine if you have leukemia. This test may reveal if you have leukemic cells. Abnormal levels of white blood cells and abnormally low red blood cell or platelet counts can also indicate leukemia.
Symptoms of childhood leukemia
Coughing or trouble breathing. Headaches, seizures, balance problems, visual changes, or vomiting (if the leukemia spreads to the brain and spinal cord) Loss of appetite or weight. Pain in the bones and joints.
Leukemic Infiltration: In rare cases, CLL cells may accumulate in the lining of the intestines or colon, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, diarrhea or rectal bleeding.
A leukemia rash called leukemia cutis typically appears as bumpy or rubbery, flesh-colored, red or purple nodules on the legs, arms, back, chest, scalp or face. Leukemia cutis is caused by the disease, appearing when white blood cells grow out of control and begin to invade the skin.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is often a silent disease during the initial stages, with many patients having no noticeable symptoms. CLL is commonly detected by accident when routine blood testing reveals an elevated lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis).
When is a patient tested for leukemia? "A patient may be tested for leukemia if he or she has unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fatigue, or if he or she bruises or bleeds easily," Dr. Siddon says. "Sometimes routine blood work shows an unexplained elevated number of white blood cells."
Leukemia starts in the soft, inner part of the bones (bone marrow), but often moves quickly into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system, and other organs.
Acute myeloid leukemia
People are usually diagnosed after age 45. AML is most common in people after age 65.
Leukemia Treatment
Bone marrow test.
Your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of bone marrow from your hipbone. The bone marrow is removed using a long, thin needle. The sample is sent to a laboratory to look for leukemia cells.
Symptoms
Leukemia is commonly misdiagnosed as the following conditions:
You may see small spots in the skin (petechiae) or larger discoloured patches (purpura). These may look like a rash but are actually clusters of small bruises. On black and brown skin petechiae and purpura typically look purple or darker than the surrounding skin, and on lighter skin they tend to show as red or purple.
They occur in unusual places – In cases of leukaemia, quite often bruises will appear in places that you wouldn't normally expect, especially; the back, legs, and hands.
Elevated white blood cell count: Leukemia often causes high levels of abnormal or immature white cells. Low red blood cell count (anemia): Results in fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Abnormal platelet levels: Too few platelets can cause prolonged bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, or easy bruising.