CANCER TYPES

Leukemia

What is Leukemia?

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:

  • Radiation exposure
  • Exposure to benzene
  • Smoking and alcohol abuse
  • Genetic conditions
  • Past chemotherapy
  • Viruses
  • Being overweight
  • Paint exposure
  • Weakened immunity
  • Blood disorders
  • Electromagnetic fields

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