How to Identify Leukemia Symptoms

Leukemia symptoms are as diverse as the types and subtypes of leukemia. Many people mistakenly associate leukemia with children. Unfortunately, leukemia can come at nearly any age. Leukemia refers to a set of cancers that attacks the body's ability to produce healthy blood. It resides in white blood cells, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. The bone marrow starts producing abnormal malfunctioning white blood cells in large amounts which leads to diverse symptoms in the leukemia cancer patient.

Instructions

1. Look for red pin points under the surface of the skin.

   This condition is caused by blood finding its way out of the capillaries near the surface of the skin. Its technical name is petechiae. This is often due to a lowering of the platelet count due to the ongoing affects of leukemia.

2. Pay attention to ongoing fatigue and weakness in the body.

   Especially in children this should be a sign for concern. Children are active and energetic, playful and full of life. Weakened children who are always in need of rest may have a serious condition. Any active human being, child or adult, who faces ongoing unexplainable fatigue is showing signs of a problem. Leukemia may or may not be the culprit, but a visit to your health care provider is in order.

3. Notice any aching or bone pain.

   Leukemia affects the bone marrow and spreads out to affect the rest of the body through the blood. Do not put off getting bone pain checked out as it is one of the common leukemia symptoms. As with all cancers, cancer treatments for leukemia are most effective when the disease is discovered early.

4. Report any swollen lymph nodes or hard places in the abdomen.

   In lymphatic leukemia the nodes can swell to unusual size. Note around the neck, armpits, and groin where any swelling occurs and make an appointment for a full screening if you suspect something your symptoms are more than a brief illness.

5. Keep track of repeated infections or easy bruising..

   Since leukemia affects the white blood cells, the body's ability to fight off infections is dramatically reduced. Keep records of your own or your child's infections and be sure that they are not forming a pattern. Easy bruising can also be a sign of the blood's low platelet count.

   * See tips below for more information on leukemia symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Almost all cancer research points to extreme benefits in catching cancer early. Report symptoms as soon as they appear.

• Notice night sweats or fevers that may be connected with ongoing infections.

• Shortness of breath when exercising can be connected to many conditions, including leukemia. Check this out with your health care provider.

• For leukemia, chemotherapy treatment is almost always required.

• See related articles on this page for more health information and diagnosis assistance.