Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Leukemia causes an uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells in the body. The leukemia and lymphoma Society estimates that roughly 3,500 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with leukemia each year. Early detection and treatments improve patient outcomes. Many forms of leukemia have a ninety percent survival rate. Knowing the symptoms of leukemia may help lead to earlier detection and better patient outcomes.
Infection and Fever
In a healthy individual, white blood cells help to prevent infection. Children with leukemia may have a high white blood cell count, but they will not ward off infections. Often children with leukemia will present with a fever that will not improve, even with antibiotics. The leukemia itself may also cause a fever by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream.
Bruising and Bleeding
Children with leukemia often experience an increase in bruising and bleeding. This comes from a lack of platelets. Platelets help stop bleeding by forming a clot or scab over the affected area. In childhood leukemia, patients have a lack of platelets. Leukemia patients may experience an increase in nosebleeds, bleeding gums or excessive bleeding when injured. There may also be small pin-sized red marks on the skin, known as petechiae, caused by tiny broken blood vessels.
Abdominal Swelling
There is often a noticeable enlargement of the abdomen in childhood leukemia. Often leukemia cells will collect in the liver and spleen causing them to swell. A physician may be able to feel the swelling in the organs upon examination.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Leukemia may spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes often enlarge when they are fighting infection, this is especially true in children. Swollen nodes may appear under the skin in the neck, under the arms, above the collarbone or in the groin. These will be the easiest to detect. Other lymph nodes in the chest or abdomen may swell but will only be detected by imaging studies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. While enlarged lymph nodes may be a sign of leukemia, most often it is just a sign of an infection. However, nodes should be checked by a physician just to be sure.
Headaches and Vomiting
The American Cancer Society reports that 5 to 10 percent of children will already have some brain and spinal cord, or central nervous system, involvement when first diagnosed with leukemia. When leukemia affects the central nervous system it can cause headaches, weakness, trouble concentrating, seizures, trouble with balance, vomiting and blurred vision.
Facial and Arm Swelling
Occasionally, leukemia can affect the thymus, a specialized organ of the immune system that produces infection fighting t-cells. When excessive leukemia cells cause the thymus to swell, it can press against the large vein known as the superior vena cava. This is known as SVC syndrome. The superior vena cave is responsible for carrying blood from the head and arms back to the heart. SVC syndrome forces blood to back up in the veins causing swelling in the face, neck, arms and upper chest. SVC syndrome is life threatening and can also cause headaches, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
