Leukemia is a blood cancer that attacks white blood cells. White blood cells function to fight infection and disease. People with leukemia contain abnormal white blood cells that damage healthy cells and cause serious problems. There are several types of leukemia with varying rates of progression. Recognize the common symptoms of leukemia and know when to seek treatment.
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Method 1 of 2: Recognizing Common Symptoms
Step 1. Watch for flu-like symptoms
Feel if you have a fever, fatigue, or chills. If the symptoms go away after a few days and you feel well again, you may just have the flu. If the flu-like symptoms don't go away, see a doctor. Leukemia patients often mistake leukemia symptoms for flu symptoms or other infections. In particular, pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Constant feeling of tiredness and weakness
- Severe or frequent nosebleeds
- Recurrent infection
- Unexplained weight loss
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes
- Swelling of the spleen or liver
- Easy to bleed or bruise
- Red spots on the skin
- Sweat a lot
- Bone cramps
- Bleeding gums
Step 2. Assess your fatigue level
Chronic fatigue is usually an early symptom of leukemia. Because fatigue is common, many patients ignore this symptom. Fatigue is usually accompanied by a feeling of weakness and lack of energy.
- Chronic fatigue is different from ordinary tiredness. If you can't concentrate or feel like your memory is weaker than normal, you may be experiencing chronic fatigue. Other symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, new and unexpected muscle pain, sore throat, or extreme tiredness that lasts more than a day.
- Hands and feet feel weak. You may find it difficult to carry out normal activities.
- Along with fatigue and weakness, your skin may turn pale. These changes are caused by anemia, a condition of low hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin serves to deliver oxygen to all tissues and cells of the body.
Step 3. Monitor weight
Significant weight loss for no apparent reason is usually a symptom of leukemia and other types of cancer. This symptom is called cachexia. Weight loss is sometimes subtle, and standing alone is not a sign of cancer. However, if you are losing weight without changes in your diet and exercise, you should still see your doctor.
- Sometimes, weight goes up and down, and that's normal. However, watch for a continuous decline without deliberate effort.
- Weight loss due to illness is usually accompanied by a lack of energy and weakness, not an improvement in health.
Step 4. Watch for bruising and bleeding
People with leukemia tend to bruise and bleed easily. Part of the reason is a low number of red blood cells and platelets, which can lead to anemia.
If you're bruising just from a slight blow or bleeding a lot from a small cut, be on the lookout. That is a very important symptom. Also watch out for bleeding gums
Step 5. Check for red spots on the skin (petechiae)
These red spots are unusual and unlike the patches that sometimes appear after exercise or when a pimple is about to grow.
If you notice small, round red spots on your skin that weren't there before, see your doctor right away. The spots will look like a rash, not blood. Usually, red spots appear in groups
Step 6. Pay attention to whether you get frequent infections
Because leukemia destroys healthy white blood cells, infections will often occur. If you have frequent infections of your skin, throat, or ears, your immune system may have weakened.
Step 7. Feel the pain in the bone
Bone pain is not a common symptom of leukemia, but it is possible. If your bones are sore and sore, and there's no reason why, consider getting a leukemia test.
Bone pain associated with leukemia occurs because the bone marrow is filled with white blood cells. Leukemic cells also collect near bones or in joints
Step 8. Know the risk factors for leukemia
There are some people who are more prone to leukemia. Although having several risk factors does not automatically indicate leukemia, you should still recognize the risk factors. Your risk is higher if:
- Have had cancer therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation.
- Have a genetic disorder
- Have you ever been a smoker?
- Having a family member with leukemia
- Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
Method 2 of 2: Undergoing a Leukemia Test
Step 1. Have a physical examination
The doctor will check if your skin is abnormally pale. Pale skin can be caused by anemia associated with leukemia. The doctor will also check if your lymph nodes are swollen. In addition, the liver and spleen will also be checked whether they are larger than normal.
- Swollen lymph nodes are also a typical sign of lymphoma.
- An enlarged spleen is also a symptom of other diseases such as mononucleosis.
Step 2. Get a blood test
Your doctor will take your blood, then examine it yourself or send it to a laboratory to count your white blood cell or platelet count. If the number is very high, your doctor may order additional tests to check for leukemia, such as an MRI, lumbar puncture, or CT scan.
Step 3. Have a bone marrow biopsy
For this test, your doctor inserts a long, slender needle into your hip bone to extract the marrow. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be assessed for whether it contains leukemia cells. Depending on the results, you may need additional tests.
Step 4. Get a diagnosis
After examining all aspects of your condition, your doctor can give you a diagnosis. You may have to wait as laboratory processes vary. However, you can still hear the conclusion in a few weeks. If the test results are negative, it means you do not have leukemia. If the result is positive, the doctor will tell you what type of leukemia you have and discuss treatment options.
- Your doctor will tell you whether your leukemia is developing fast (acute) or slowly (chronic).
- Next, he will determine which type of white blood cell is abnormal. Lymphocytic leukemia affects lymphocytes. Myelogenous leukemia affects myeloid cells.
- Adults can have any type of leukemia, but most young children have acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
- Both children and adults can develop acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), but it develops very rapidly in adults.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) affect adults and can take years to show symptoms.
