Leukemia can cause back pain anywhere, but it often appears in the lower back (lumbosacral region), hips, ribs, or spine, due to cancer cells affecting bone marrow, causing swelling in the spleen/lymph nodes, or leading to fractures, with pain worsening at night or with movement, though it can also manifest as general body aches from anemia. This pain might feel deep, severe, or like a band, and can be intense enough to limit activity, sometimes presenting without other classic leukemia signs, making diagnosis tricky.
Enlarged lymph nodes or spleen: These may press against nearby structures, including the back or spine, causing dull or persistent discomfort. Bone marrow involvement: Widespread infiltration of leukemia cells can affect bone marrow and cause bone or joint pain, which some patients describe as back pain.
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.
Back pain is the most common symptom of both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) spinal tumors. Pain from spinal tumors in your middle or lower back is more common, as tumors are more likely to develop in those regions of your spine.
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:
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.
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.
Commonly suggested "red flags" for malignancy in clinical practice guidelines are: age > 50 years, no improvement in symptoms after one month, insidious onset, a previous history of cancer, no relief with bed rest, unexplained weight loss, fever, thoracic pain, or being systematically unwell (Koes 2010).
While any type of cancer can potentially cause this type of pain, certain types like lung, breast, prostate, colon, kidney, ovarian, or uterine cancers are more likely to do so. Back pain associated with other symptoms, like unusual fatigue, weight loss, or difficulty breathing, may also be more concerning.
Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include:
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.
Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test lets your healthcare provider know if you have abnormal levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If you have leukemia, you'll likely have higher than normal counts of white blood cells.
Weight loss
CLL itself uses up energy that your body would otherwise use or store. So you may lose weight, even if you eat normally.
A common symptom of pancreatic cancer is a dull pain in the upper abdomen (belly) and/or middle or upper back that comes and goes. This is probably caused by a tumor that has formed in the body or tail of the pancreas because it can press on the spine.
1 The long bones of the legs and arms are the most common location to experience this pain. Bone pain is commonly one of the presenting features of acute leukemia in childhood. Bone and joint pain have been reported to occur in 21–59% of children with acute leukemia.
Possible symptoms of CLL
Watch for these red flags:
Can lower back pain be a sign of something serious like cancer? Lower back pain can be related to cancer. In fact, it is one of the first symptoms of prostate cancer when it metastasizes and creates lesions. Almost any cancer can spread to the back and some, like sarcoma, can originate in the back.
An urgent referral can be worrying. But remember that more than 9 in every 10 people (more than 90%) referred this way will not have a diagnosis of cancer. In England, an urgent referral used to mean that you should see a specialist within 2 weeks.
Back pain accompanied by sensations of numbness, tingling or weakness could be a sign of nerve irritation or damage. This is especially true if the pain persists after taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Nerve pain is serious and can result in permanent damage or disability if left untreated.
The 7 key warning signs of cancer often include changes in bowel/bladder habits, a sore that won't heal, unusual bleeding/discharge, a lump or thickening, persistent indigestion/difficulty swallowing, changes in moles, and a nagging cough or hoarseness, though many symptoms can overlap, so persistent changes warrant a doctor visit. These signs, especially when lasting over a couple of weeks, suggest a need for medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions, notes the American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic.
How Is Leukemia Treated? 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.
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Leukemia symptoms include: