Symptoms
Initial symptoms are not specific to ALL, but worsen to the point that medical help is sought. They result from the lack of normal and healthy blood cells because they are crowded out by malignant and immature leukocytes (white blood cells). Therefore, people with ALL experience symptoms from malfunctioning of their erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes, and platelets. Laboratory tests that might show abnormalities include blood count tests, renal function tests, electrolyte tests, and liver enzyme tests.
The signs and symptoms of ALL are variable but follow from bone marrow replacement and/or organ infiltration.
- Generalized weakness and fatigue
- Anemia
- Frequent or unexplained fever and infection
- Weight loss and/or loss of appetite
- Excessive and unexplained bruising
- Bone pain, joint pain (caused by the spread of "blast" cells to the surface of the bone or into the joint from the marrow cavity)
- Breathlessness
- Enlarged lymph nodes,liver and/or spleen
- Pitting edema (swelling) in the lower limbs and/or abdomen
- Petechia, which are tiny red spots or lines in the skin due to low platelet levels
Read more about this topic: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
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