Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Symptoms
Acute lymphocytic leukemia symptoms in its early stages may mimic symptoms of
the flu or other common diseases such which may include weakness, fatigue or a
general decrease in energy, fever, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 80% of the acute leukemias of
childhood, with most cases occurring between ages 3 and 7. ALL also occurs in
adults, where it accounts for 20% of all adult leukemias.
In acute leukemia, the cancerous cell loses its ability to mature and
specialize, differentiate, its function. These cells multiply rapidly and
replace the normal cells. Bone marrow failure occurs as malignant cells replace
normal bone marrow elements. The person becomes susceptible to bleeding and
infection because the normal blood cells are reduced in number.
Symptoms of Acute Leukemia
Depending by a lack of properly functioning blood cells, resulting from
overcrowding by leukemia cells, a range of symptoms and problems
may occur.
- Blood platelets - Symptoms of a shortage of blood
platelets, thrombocytopenia, can result in easy bleeding and bruising,
including frequent or severe nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, or tiny red
marks caused by bleeding into the skin, petechiae.
- Red blood cells - Symptoms of a shortage of red blood
cells, anemia can cause shortness of breath, fatigue and pale skin.
- White blood cells - A shortage of white blood cells,
leukopenia, or of a particular type of white blood cells called neutrophils,
neutropenia, can result in frequent infections.
ALL can produce symptoms of painless lumps in the lymph nodes in the neck,
underarm, stomach or groin. It can also bring about bone pain, joint pain or
pain below the ribs on the left side from swelling of the spleen. If it spreads
outside the blood to the central nervous system or other organs, it can cause
headache, weakness, seizures, vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision.
A particular type of ALL called T cell ALL often causes an organ near the heart
known as the thymus to become swollen. An enlarged thymus can press on the
windpipe, causing coughing and shortness of breath. Or it can press on a large
vein that carries blood from the arms and head to the heart, causing swelling of
the arms and head. This can be a medical emergency, but it does respond to
treatment.
In young children, a sign of ALL is a previously healthy child who stops
walking. This regression is probably because of bone pain, but a young child may
not be able to verbalize the reason. And it may take parents about a week to
notice the lack of walking.
See your doctor if you or your child has any symptoms of acute leukemia so that
you can act quickly to destroy the cancer before it spreads or causes serious
problems.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Symptoms to
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