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Sign is something that the doctor can notice from a patient, such as bruising on skin or cuts; symptom is something that the patient feels, such as headache or pain.
The signs and symptoms of leukemia occur because of specific reasons. Some examples are:
The signs and symptoms of leukemia occur because of specific reasons. Some examples are:
- Easy shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, feeling cold or disoriented, and headaches are caused by low number of red blood cells (anemia).
- Easy bruising and bleeding, nose bleeds and bleeding gums are caused by low number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).
- High number of leukemia cells leads to blood clotting because these cancerous cells are bigger than healthy cells; blood clotting in certain organs affect the body. i.e. If the blood vessels in the lungs are clogged, the patients can have shortage of breath.
- Pain or tenderness in bones and/or joints are caused by buildup of leukemia cells in that certain area.
- If leukemia cells spread to the skin, it may cause lumps or spots.
- Leukemia cells can spread to other organs of the body and cause major problems; if it spreads to the nervous system like the brain, it causes disorientation, weakness, seizures, troubles with balance etc.
- In some cases, the lymph nodes can swell because the leukemia cells have spread. Bumps or swelling can be felt under the skin.
Created by: Minzee Kim