Leukemia is a malignant progressive disease where the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature/abnormal leukocytes. These suppress the production of the normal blood cells which then leads to anemia and other symptoms.
Leukemia Symptoms
Many symptoms are nonspecific and often patients will feel like they have the flu. Symptoms are caused by too many abnormal white blood cells and possible symptoms include:
General weakness
Fatigue
Fever
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent infections
Bruising/bleeding easily
Blood in urine/stool
Pain in joints/bones
Breathlessness
Swollen lymph glands
Discomfort/bloating in the abdomen
Bleeding from the gums or nose
Fine rash of dark red spots
Leukemia Causes
Although in most cases there is no known direct cause the following risk factors include: