As a hematologist, I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of blood-related disorders, including leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, and it can have various early warning signs. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of leukemia:
1.
Fever or chills: This can be an indication of an infection, which is common in people with leukemia due to a weakened immune system.
2.
Persistent fatigue, weakness: Anemia, which is a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues, can cause these symptoms.
3.
Frequent or severe infections: Leukemia impairs the body's ability to fight off infections, leading to an increased susceptibility to them.
4.
Losing weight without trying: This may be due to a lack of appetite or the body's inability to absorb nutrients effectively.
5. **Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen**: These are signs of an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
6.
Easy bleeding or bruising: This can occur because leukemia affects the body's ability to produce platelets, which are necessary for blood clotting.
7.
Recurrent nosebleeds: Similar to easy bruising, this is due to a low platelet count.
8.
Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae): These are small spots of bleeding under the skin, which can be another sign of a platelet deficiency.
It's important to note that these symptoms can be associated with other conditions as well, so a definitive diagnosis of leukemia requires medical evaluation and typically includes a blood test and possibly a bone marrow test.
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