Symptoms of leukemia in detail and when do these symptoms appear

Symptoms of leukemia

Infection with leukemia is considered one of the most frightening things that anyone can experience, and depending on the type of cancer, many people want to know the warning signs that they should pay attention to, so we have prepared for you the following article to learn about the symptoms of leukemia in detail, including common, early and late symptoms, and when. These symptoms appear, and do the symptoms differ in women from the symptoms that appear in men, and other information, so be sure to follow up and read the following lines.

stages of leukemia

Determining the stage of leukemia can provide information that can help the doctor determine the best treatments for the condition, and although most types of cancers are staged according to the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread, but determining the stage of leukemia is different, as it depends on the number of blood cells and the extent The collection and accumulation of cancer cells within the organs of the body.

The doctor first determines the type of leukemia present through some cellular tests and some other laboratory analyses, then each type is divided in a specific system, but it must be noted that determining the stage of cancer only is not sufficient to determine the fate of the case, as there are other factors that must be taken into account.

Stages of leukemia, especially chronic leukemia, include:

  • Stage 0: The patient has high levels of white blood cells, but no physical symptoms.
  • level 1: The patient has high levels of white blood cells, and has swollen lymph nodes.
  • Stage 2: The patient has high levels of white blood cells, suffers from anemia, and may suffer from swollen lymph nodes.
  • Stage 3: The patient suffers from high levels of white blood cells, has anemia, and may suffer from enlarged lymph nodes and an enlarged liver or spleen.
  • Stage 4: There are high levels of white blood cells and a decrease in the number of platelets. The patient may also be anemic, and have an enlarged spleen or liver and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of leukemia

General and common symptoms of leukemia include:

  • Feeling generally weak and tired quickly from the slightest exertion.
  • pale skin
  • fever.
  • Bruising and bleeding from the nose and gums easily, and the appearance of small red spots on the skin.
  • Feeling of bone and joint pain or weakness.
  • swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, groin, or stomach
  • Enlarged liver or spleen.
  • Losing weight for no reason.
  • hard breathing.
  • Pain under the ribs on the left side.
  • Sweating a lot, especially at night.
  • Weakness and fatigue that does not go away even with a rest.
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Frequent exposure to infection.

Early symptoms of leukemia

In most cases, leukemia does not cause symptoms in its early stages, and the early symptoms that can appear are usually similar to those of the flu, but these symptoms do not disappear with the passage of time. And it includes The first symptom of leukemia which may show the following:

  • Anorexia.
  • Pain in the bones and joints.
  • Easy bruising.
  • Fatigue and fever.
  • Headache.
  • Bleeding profusely.
  • night sweats
  • shortness of breath

Symptoms of leukemia in women

It should be noted that the symptoms of leukemia in adults are similar in many cases, even depending on the type, and the symptoms that every woman should pay attention to include the following:

  • Pale skin: As leukemia progresses, new blood cells that have been damaged by cancer can overwhelm the bone marrow, making it more difficult for healthy cells to grow. This results in a pale complexion.
  • Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of leukemia, as it causes a feeling of fatigue and loss of energy all the time, so you should consult a doctor if you notice the presence of this symptom constantly.
  • Infection or fever: Blood cells are an important part of the immune system, and when you have leukemia, these cells are damaged, making you vulnerable to continuous infection and fever.
  • Difficulty breathing: In addition to feeling tired, it may appear difficult to breathe normally, especially during any physical activity, so you should pay attention to this symptom and consult a doctor.
  • Slow healing of wounds: As a result of the changes that occur in the blood cells due to leukemia, the patient may notice that wounds and injuries take a very long time in the healing process, and it is also possible to notice the ease of exposure to bruises throughout the body.

Symptoms of leukemia in men

The symptoms of leukemia in men are not much different from their symptoms in women, and the symptoms may be mild or moderate at first, then increase in severity. The main symptoms that may appear include the following:

  • Fatigue or anemia.
  • Frequent infections such as mouth sores, sore throat, infected wounds and blisters.
  • An increase in bleeding, and the possibility of bruising.
  • Gum swelling and weakness.
  • rash.
  • headache.
  • vision problems
  • vomiting.
  • An enlarged spleen causes pain.
  • pain in chest.

Late symptoms of leukemia

When leukemia or leukemia progresses, the condition is usually classified as either acute or chronic, and the acute condition occurs suddenly, while the chronic condition appears as a result of the slow growth of cancer cells, but in most cases the symptoms of the two cases are similar to each other, and the most prominent symptoms of advanced leukemia include what follows:

  • anemia.
  • Anorexia.
  • Feeling of bloating in the upper abdomen.
  • Feeling tired all the time.
  • Swollen lymph nodes and a feeling of pain when touched.
  • Pain in the joints and bones.
  • Infection and inflammation all the time
  • One of the symptoms of leukemia on the skin is the appearance of small red dots under the skin, known scientifically as petechiae or petechiae.

Leukemia can also cause symptoms in other organs if affected by the cancer. If the cancer spreads to the nervous system, this may cause frequent headaches, nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control and seizures.

When do symptoms of leukemia appear?

Symptoms and signs of leukemia vary depending on the type of cancer present, and whether it is acute cancer or chronic cancer. Acute leukemia usually causes flu-like symptoms, and these symptoms appear suddenly within several days or several weeks.

Or in the case of chronic leukemia, the symptoms usually develop gradually, and they may appear within several months or even years in some cases, as most people with this type usually complain of feeling tired all the time, and the disease is not discovered unless they undergo some tests and analyzes usual blood.

It should be noted that it is necessary to contact the doctor in the following cases:

  • When exposed to any of the aforementioned symptoms, with no explanation for their appearance.
  • In the event of unexplained bleeding, high fever or seizure. You may need emergency treatment for acute leukemia.
  • In the event of recovery from leukemia and noticing the return of its signs again, such as infection or easy bleeding, as tests must be done periodically in this case as a precautionary measure.