What are the early signs of leukemia?

As a hematologist, I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of blood-related disorders, including leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, and it can have various early warning signs. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of leukemia: 1. Fever or chills: This can be an indication of an infection, which is common in people with leukemia due to a weakened immune system. 2. Persistent fatigue, weakness: Anemia, which is a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues, can cause these symptoms. 3. Frequent or severe infections: Leukemia impairs the body's ability to fight off infections, leading to an increased susceptibility to them. 4. Losing weight without trying: This may be due to a lack of appetite or the body's inability to absorb nutrients effectively. 5. **Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen**: These are signs of an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. 6. Easy bleeding or bruising: This can occur because leukemia affects the body's ability to produce platelets, which are necessary for blood clotting. 7. Recurrent nosebleeds: Similar to easy bruising, this is due to a low platelet count. 8. Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae): These are small spots of bleeding under the skin, which can be another sign of a platelet deficiency. It's important to note that these symptoms can be associated with other conditions as well, so a definitive diagnosis of leukemia requires medical evaluation and typically includes a blood test and possibly a bone marrow test.

Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:Fever or chills.Persistent fatigue, weakness.Frequent or severe infections.Losing weight without trying.Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.Easy bleeding or bruising.Recurrent nosebleeds.Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)More items...