Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells, lymphatic system and bone marrow causing a lot of problems in the immune system and overall health of the body, apart from the fact that cancer itself is deadly. When the blood cells mutate abnormally in their DNA, it starts growing and dividing rapidly and harmfully. There are many different types of leukemia like acute, chronic, lymphocytic, myelogenous, etc, and they all have their set of symptoms. Herein, we’ll discuss the most basic types of leukemia and their different symptoms.
Acute Leukemia
Acute Leukemia is the type of leukemia in which the malignant cells develop suddenly and rapidly.
Acute leukemia is of two types: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the type of leukemia in which the lymphocytes turn into malignant cells. Its various symptoms of are
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- A feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness
- Suffocation and shortness of breath
- Skin appears paler than usual
- Recurrent infections are hard to treat
- Red or purple bruises on your skin
- Excessive bleeding
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia is an acute condition in which malignant cells mostly affect the granulocytes and monocytes. The different symptoms of this type of leukemia are
- Perspiration at night
- Loss of appetite
- Fevers and chills
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Constant drowsiness
- Bleeding and clotting problems
- Bone and joint pain
- Inflammation in the chest
- Lumps on the skin caused by a cluster of malignant cells.
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Swelling, pain, and bleeding of the gums
- Nausea
- Facial numbness
- Bad balance in the body
- Blurred vision
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
Chronic Leukemia
Chronic leukemia is a type of leukemia in which the development of the malignant cells in your blood occurs over a long period of time and progresses at a slow rate. Chronic leukemia is of two types: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia is a chronic condition in which the cancerous cells are majorly lymphocytes. Symptoms are:
- Sudden weight loss
- Chills and fever
- Sweats at night
- Inflammation of lymph nodes
- Pain in the abdomen
- A sense of fullness in the belly, even after a small meal. This is caused by an enlarged spleen or liver
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Leukopenia
- Frequent infections
- Autoimmunity, mostly autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic myeloid leukemia is the development of cancerous cells in your bone marrow over a long period of time which primarily affects monocytes and granulocytes. Its symptoms are
- Night sweats
- Bone and joint pain
- Loss in appetite
- Enlarged spleen
- Inflammation in the abdomen
- A sense of fullness in the belly
- Feeling full even after a small meal.
- Anemia (shortage of red blood cells)
- Leukopenia (Shortage of healthy white blood cells )
- Neutropenia (Shortage of neutrophils)
- Thrombocytopenia (shortage of platelets)
There are many other subtypes of leukemia like hairy cell leukemia, other types of chronic leukemia, etc. Leukemia has many types that have different symptoms. However, it can be suspected of existing in a patient through a few common symptoms. If you experience any of the general symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as possible to confirm and start appropriate treatment.
