Symptoms of leukaemia often present subtly in the early stages, making the disease difficult to detect without medical tests.
As the disease progresses, these symptoms become more noticeable and disruptive. They vary depending on the type—acute or chronic—and whether it affects lymphoid or myeloid cells. Still, recognising and understanding the most common and serious symptoms of leukaemia helps patients and healthcare professionals act quickly and begin the right treatment. This early awareness is vital because some forms of leukaemia can progress rapidly and need urgent care.
The most reported symptoms of leukaemia include feeling very tired, sudden weight loss, frequent infections, and easy bruising or bleeding. Fatigue happens when leukaemia cells push out healthy red blood cells, causing anaemia. This kind of tiredness does not improve with rest. It can affect daily life and lower quality of living. Sudden weight loss and low appetite happen because the body uses a lot of energy to fight the rise of cancerous white blood cells. These broad signs often lead people to seek medical help.
Early Physical Signs of Leukaemia
A clear warning among symptoms of leukaemia is easy bruising or heavy bleeding. Patients might have frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or heavy menstrual periods. This happens because leukaemia stops the bone marrow from making enough platelets, which are needed for blood to clot. In some people, small red or purple spots called petechiae appear on the skin, especially on the legs. These spots, though they look like small rashes, are signs of low platelet counts and could point to a blood problem.
Frequent infections are also major symptoms of leukaemia. This is due to the immune system not working properly. Leukaemia causes the bone marrow to make faulty white blood cells that can’t fight infections. As a result, people become more prone to illnesses like bronchitis, pneumonia, or urinary infections. These illnesses might take longer to heal or keep coming back, which signals trouble for both patients and doctors.
Swollen lymph nodes—in the neck, armpits, or groin—are other common symptoms of leukaemia. These swollen areas are often painless, so many people don’t notice them. Leukaemia cells can also build up in the spleen or liver, making them larger. This can cause a feeling of fullness or bloating, especially in the upper left side of the belly. Sometimes it leads to discomfort or pain if the disease is more advanced.
Bone Pain and Severe Symptoms of Leukaemia
Bone or joint pain is another issue some people face. It comes from the build-up of leukaemia cells inside the bone marrow, which puts pressure on the bones. The pain may feel sharp or dull and can affect just one area or several. It often shows up in the arms and legs, especially in children.
In acute forms of leukaemia, symptoms can appear very quickly. They may include high fevers, night sweats, and pale skin because of fewer red blood cells. Chronic leukaemia moves more slowly. Its symptoms might be mild at first and mistaken for ageing or other health problems. But even chronic leukaemia can speed up and cause stronger symptoms during a phase called blast crisis.
Some symptoms of leukaemia are less clear. These include headaches, blurry vision, or shortness of breath, which can happen if anaemia becomes severe. In rare cases, when the disease reaches the brain or spinal cord, it may cause seizures or confusion. This is more common in a type called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Some people might also see greenish skin lumps called chloromas, though this is rare.
How Leukaemia Symptoms Differ in Children
Children with leukaemia often show different symptoms than adults. They still experience tiredness, infections, and bruising, but may also stop growing normally, eat poorly, or become more irritable. Parents might see their child lose interest in playing or fall behind in reaching milestones. These quiet changes in behaviour can be some of the earliest signs of paediatric leukaemia.
Because symptoms of leukaemia can look like other illnesses, misdiagnosis is common, especially early on. Doctors might confuse these signs with flu, low iron, or hormone problems. That’s why it’s important to get checked if multiple symptoms show up or get worse over time. Blood tests often catch unusual white cell, red cell, or platelet levels, leading to more tests like a bone marrow biopsy.
Key Symptoms of Leukaemia to Watch For
To sum up, the main symptoms of leukaemia include:
- Constant tiredness or weakness
- Ongoing or repeated infections
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Swollen lymph nodes or belly discomfort
- Bone or joint pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Pale skin
- Fevers and sweating at night
- Trouble breathing
- Skin changes like petechiae or rare green lumps
These symptoms are easy to miss because they also happen with common illnesses. Still, knowing the full list of symptoms of leukaemia can lead to early diagnosis and better treatment. Whether the symptoms come on slowly or quickly, it’s always best to talk to a doctor if they persist or don’t have a clear cause. Early care makes a big difference, especially for fast-moving forms of the disease.
