There are several treatments for leukemia. One of the first is chemotherapy, which is highly effective for a short period of time. However, after chemotherapy, it may take months or years to fully recover. For these patients, chemotherapy may be a good option. During this process, the doctors will use medicines to minimize any side effects of the disease and help the patient cope with the treatment.
During the physical exam, your doctor will check for any signs of leukemia. If you have bleeding gums or easy bruising, a blood test will probably be ordered. Your doctor will check your cervical spine for enlarged lymph nodes, which can indicate leukemia. If your gums or joints are tender or swollen, they will be checked for fluid in the spinal canal. You may also have bruises or tiny red patches on the skin, which are called petechiae. An enlarged spleen is another symptom. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should visit a physician right away.
The symptoms of leukemia will depend on the specific type of cancer. If you have an enlarged spleen, you may have a blood count of more than 40,000 cells per milligram. During a spinal tap, a special needle is inserted into the spinal canal to check the pressure. Once the tube is inserted, a small sample of fluid is drawn. This fluid is the cerebral spinal fluid, which bathes the spinal cord and brain. If your child has these symptoms, it is imperative that you visit a doctor immediately.
The leukemia cells can build up in the spleen and liver. You may feel full after eating only a small amount. Your doctor can also feel lumps under the skin, which are signs of ALL. Sometimes, leukemia can spread to the lymph nodes, which are located near the chest or the body’s surface. Imaging tests will help determine whether or not your doctor should perform any further tests.
There are many other leukemia cancer symptoms that you can look for in your child. The most common is an enlarged spleen. If you suspect this is the case, you should have it checked by a doctor as soon as possible. If your child has leukemia, he or she will undergo a physical examination and may undergo blood tests and imaging tests. You may also notice a change in your mood or mental state.
If your doctor finds the symptoms of leukemia, he or she may order a chest X-ray or a CT or MRI. If the symptoms are severe, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will determine the cause of the leukemia through a physical exam and will run blood tests and imaging tests. If you have any of these, you should seek further diagnosis.
Your doctor may order a spinal tap, which involves inserting a needle into your lower back. This test helps check for cancer in the cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes your brain and spinal cord. Because leukemia does not have stages, your doctor will use other tools to determine the cause of your symptoms. For instance, blood tests may reveal the type of leukemia. They may also order an MRI to determine the severity of your condition.
