There are many different forms of leukemia. Some are acute, some are chronic, some affect children and others affect people over sixty. All types of leukemia involve an overproduction of some type of white blood cell. Since, most of the symptoms relate directly or indirectly to this overproduction, they invariably get worse as the white count goes up.
Elevated White Count
All leukemia patients who are not in remission have elevated white cell counts. Depending upon the type of leukemia, the particular type of white cell that is affected can be a granulocyte, an eosinophil, a B cell, a T lymphocyte or some other variety of white cell. If the patient has an acute variety of leukemia, treatment begins immediately because this white cell count is invariably very high. This is not necessarily true with chronic leukemias. The National Cancer Institute explains that in the early stages of chronic leukemia, the elevation may be so mild that doctors opt for the practice of watchful waiting.
Swollen Glands
Swollen glands are an early sign of both chronic and acute leukemias. These swollen glands are really swollen lymph nodes. The swelling is caused when white cells congregate in lymph tissue glands. According to kidshealth.org, the neck and groin are most commonly affected.
Anemia
Anemia is a common symptom in early stages of acute leukemia and later stage of chronic leukemia. Patients become anemic when the bone marrow becomes so crowded with white cells that it is no longer able to make red blood cells. Simple activities like walking across the room can leave one fatigued and breathless. This symptom can be mitigated by Infusions of red blood cells.
Infections
Although patients have a high white cell count, those cells are immature and defective so they are not much use when it comes to fighting disease. Consequently, patients suffer from frequent illness and fevers.
Bruising
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society say that inexplicable bruising is a common symptom of leukemia. This bruising occurs when the patient's platelet count gets very low because the the bone marrow is too crowded with white cells to make platelets. Platelets are involving with blot clotting. When platelet counts drop, blood pools under the surface of the skin. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society adds that "slow healing of cuts and excess bleeding" are common symptoms.
