Symptoms of Leukemia

Leukemia is one of the forms of cancer that affects bone marrow. It mainly targets the bone marrow cells where it causes them to reproduce and divide rapidly at an alarming rate. This abnormal reproduction of bone marrow cells in a rapid speed causes imbalance in the blood cells of the body that finally brings great damage to the immune system. Actually, there are several kinds of Leukemia and the symptoms vary according to the forms of it.

Based on the type of the marrow cells that are involved in the cell division process, and that causes the illness the disease is classified into four types namely Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and finally Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. ALL and CLL forms of the disease causes rapid cell division of white blood cells where as myelogenous leukemia causes changes in the formation of platelets, red and white blood cells.

Common Symptoms of Leukemia are fatigue, bruising, paleness, fever, weakness, shortness of breath and night sweats. Acute forms of the diseases produce seizures, muscle weakness, vomiting and confusing in many patients. Few may not experience any symptoms but they are still attacked by CLL or CML.

The imbalance in the count of the blood cells also results in the disfunctioning of the immune system making it to lose its ability to fight against infections and also anemia can occur.

One can notice few red pin points under their skin surface. This is due to the blood which is way out of the capillaries and also because of the reduced count of platelets.

Leukemia patients should keep in mind that they should not neglect even a single signs of it since it may spread the disease to the remaining parts of the body easily through the blood system. They may notice severe bone pain, can report swollen lymph nodes and hard places in the abdominal region.