Symptoms of Leukemia Can Vary and Also Mimic Other Common Illnesses

Like many cancers, outcomes for leukemia are often better when the disease is diagnosed and treated early. That’s why recognizing possible symptoms and getting them checked is so important. However, early signs of leukemia can be easy to miss because they’re often confused with more common illnesses. Symptoms can also vary depending on the type of leukemia.

To help raise awareness and promote early detection, the experts at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) offer some guidance.

“Early symptoms of leukemia can be very broad and may look like those of many other conditions,” said Dr. Alan Feiner, an oncologist and hematologist at RMCC. “For this reason, it’s important to seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right or if you have concerns.”

Common General Symptoms

 If you notice any of the following symptoms, consider talking with your doctor. Having these symptoms does not necessarily point to leukemia, but it’s important to pay attention to changes in your health. They include: 

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Bone or joint pain
• Headaches
• Fever or chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Abdominal discomfort
• Petechiae (small red spots under the skin)

“Some less common symptoms that can occur across different types of leukemia include vomiting, aches in the arms, legs, or hips, pale skin, swollen gums or lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen or liver,” Dr. Feiner explained.

Symptoms of Acute Leukemias

Faster growing forms of leukemia, such as acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, are called “acute” leukemias. Their symptoms often appear more suddenly and can be more obvious. These changes are usually related to a drop in healthy blood cell levels, which can be detected through a blood test.

Because acute leukemias can advance quickly, it’s important to get medical care right away if you experience:

• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Blood clotting issues, such as frequent or severe nosebleeds or bleeding gums
• Anemia
• Weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Recurring or chronic infections, often with fever
• Joint or bone pain

Symptoms of Chronic Leukemias

Chronic leukemias—such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia—tend to grow more slowly than acute forms of the disease. As a result, symptoms of chronic leukemia are often milder and develop gradually. 

It’s not uncommon for many people with chronic leukemia to have no symptoms at all. In many cases, the disease is discovered during routine blood tests that show changes in blood cell levels. Some forms, such as cutaneous leukemia, may cause skin lesions and itching.

One type of chronic leukemia, called chronic myeloid leukemia, is more common in older adults and may cause more noticeable symptoms early on. These can include:

• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Enlarged spleen or lymph nodes
• Frequent or ongoing infections, such as those affecting the skin, lungs, or kidneys

At What Point Should You Seek Medical Attention?

“Not everyone who experiences these symptoms has leukemia, so there’s no need to assume the worst,” said Dr. Feiner. “But that doesn’t mean you should ignore them, either.”

Because early symptoms of leukemia can mimic so many common and often harmless conditions, like the flu, it’s important to pay attention to how long they last. If symptoms don’t improve within two weeks, or they keep coming back after periods of improvement, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your primary care physician.

However, if you experience more severe symptoms—such as unusual bleeding or bruising, persistent fever, or shortness of breath—or your symptoms get rapidly worse, seek medical attention right away.

Learn how leukemia is diagnosed. If you’ve been diagnosed with leukemia, find out more about leukemia treatment at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.