These signs are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as easy bleeding, heavy menstruation, and loss of appetite. The doctor may also perform a spinal fluid biopsy, which will help determine whether the disease has spread. While the cause of leukemia is unknown, the following symptoms may be present:
A chest X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be ordered. A lumbar puncture may also be performed to check if the leukemia has spread to the spinal cord. If a blood test does not reveal any signs of cancer, the patient will have to undergo a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Patients should visit a doctor as soon as they notice any of these symptoms.
A physical exam may reveal a few other signs of leukemia. A doctor will check for swollen lymph nodes, some of which can be felt, and he may look for bruises and red skin rash (petechiae). The doctor may also do an ultrasound to check for signs of an enlarged spleen. In some cases, no symptoms may be apparent in early stages of chronic leukemia, but they should be reported to the doctor if they persist.
A child with leukemia may look pale and tired. His/her lymph nodes may swell, which is a common sign of leukemia. A child may have a red skin spot that is a blood clot. These are the blemished cells of the spinal cord and brain. In addition, white blood cells in children with leukemia do not fight infections, and they may develop repeated infections. In addition, the child may experience bone and joint pain, which is often mistaken for arthritis.
In the later stages of the disease, the leukemia cells may swell in the liver or spleen, causing an enlarged belly and feeling full even after a small meal. The patient may experience frequent infections, while the leukemia cells in the body do not fight infection. Therefore, a child suffering from leukemia will experience multiple infections throughout his/her life. However, despite the fact that these symptoms can be subtle, it is important to visit the doctor as soon as possible.
Besides the physical symptoms of leukemia, the disease may also affect the organs that the patient uses. A person with leukemia will have insufficient red blood cells for oxygen and platelets for clotting the blood. A child with the disease will have insufficient white blood cells for normal functioning. These are the most common symptoms of leukemia. If these symptoms are present, the doctor may recommend undergoing a bone marrow biopsy.
The early signs of leukemia are usually vague and not noticeable. The most obvious signs of leukemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, and anemia, and bone pain. A child with leukemia may also be anemic, despite the absence of visible symptoms. Although leukemia does not cause any immediate harm, the illness can lead to other problems, including death. The signs of this cancer will vary from person to person.
If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor will order blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and CT scan. If you have any of these symptoms, your physician may perform a bone marrow biopsy. A doctor will also order certain imaging tests, such as a MRI. Further tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. A physical examination will be the first step in diagnosing leukemia.