Symptoms
Symptoms of leukemia are similar to other more common and less severe illnesses. Specific blood tests and bone marrow tests are needed to make a diagnosis. Signs and symptoms vary based on the type of leukemia.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Persistent fatigue, weakness
- Frequent infections
- Losing weight without trying
- Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)
- Excessive sweating, especially at night
- Bone pain or tenderness
People with CLL or CML may not have any symptoms. Some patients learn they have CLL or CML as a result of a blood test during a regular checkup. Sometimes, a person with CLL may notice enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin. If the CLL is more severe, a person may feel tired, or short of breath, or have frequent infections. In these cases, a blood test may show an increase in the lymphocyte count.
CML signs and symptoms tend to develop slowly. People with CML may feel tired and short of breath while doing everyday activities. They may also have an enlarged spleen, night sweats, and weight loss.
If you have these symptoms, it is important to be seen by the Miami Valley Hospital’s cancer team who has expertise in treating this specific disease.