Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells. The body has several broad categories of blood cells, including white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Generally, leukemia is a cancer that targets the white blood cells. White blood cells are a vital part of the immune system in the body. They act as your army of body soldiers, protecting you from an invasion of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful foreign substances.

With leukemia, white blood cells don’t function optimally like the healthy white blood cells. The cells splint and multiply rapidly, crowding the normal cells. Most of the white blood cells are produced in bone marrow, although other types are produced in the spleen, thymus gland, and lymph nodes. Once produced, the white blood cells circulate throughout the body in blood and lymphs, concentrating in spleen and lymph nodes. Treatment options for leukemia may vary depending on the type of cell affected as well as other factors.

During the initial stages of leukemia infection, the majority of people rarely experience signs, or the symptoms develop slowly. Leukemia symptoms often vary depending on the type of leukemia. Acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia progress quickly and the symptoms may also worsen more rapidly compared to chronic leukemia. The most common early warning signs and symptoms of leukemia include:

• Night sweats

• Regular headaches

• Red spots underneath the skin, also known as petechiae

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

• Fever and chills

• Shortness of breath

• Easy bleeding

• Bone and joint pain

• Frequent infections

• Abdominal discomfort

• Fatigue and weakness

Although some conditions occur as a side effect of the disease, the following are possible indicators of leukemia:

1. Leukopenia

It is a condition that resulted from low white blood cells count than the average required in the body. The reduced production of white blood cells will likely loosen your immunity, making you susceptible to infections.

2. Swollen lymph nodes

Swelling of neck, groin, or armpit may indicate the possibility of leukemia infection. It occurs when leukemia has attacked the lymph nodes.

3. Anemia

A condition where the body has low blood cell counts below the minimum required in the body. The function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen throughout the body organs and tissues. Anemia may highly contribute to fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.

4. Immune thrombocytopenia

This occurs as a result of low platelet count in the body. Platelet cells are blood cells that are responsible for blood clotting. Insufficient amount of platelets may result to ease bruising or hemorrhage (excessive bleeding).

5. Enlarged liver or spleen

When abnormal white blood cells accumulate in the liver or spleen, they may cause a feeling of fullness, described as a loss of appetite, or swell in the upper part of the abdomen.

In order to diagnose leukemia, blood samples are taken to the lab for examination. The following are the standard diagnostic tests for leukemia:

• Biopsy

• Imaging tests

• Flow cytometry

• Lab tests

Visit your doctor in case you discover the above signs and symptoms. Initial symptoms of leukemia are often vague and not specific. You may confuse early leukemia symptoms as they resemble flu symptoms and other infections. It is rare for leukemia to be discovered in blood tests of other conditions.