Symptoms of leukemia

Symptoms of the disease vary depending on the type of leukemia.

The symptoms of acute leukemia are generally unspecific and resemble those of other illnesses such as influenza. They can appear suddenly over a few days or weeks.

The symptoms of chronic leukemia, during the early stages of the disease, are very diffuse or even nonexistent. The first symptoms appear gradually:

• Fever, chills or headache.
• Persistent weakness or fatigue.
• Anemia, which is shortness of breath, pallor, palpitations (fast heartbeat), dizziness.
• Frequent infections (lungs, urinary tract, gums, around the anus, herpes or cold sores).
• Loss of appetite.
• Sore throat.
• Weight loss.
• Swollen glands, swollen liver or spleen.
• Bleeding (nose, gums, heavy periods) or frequent bruising.
• Small red dots on the skin (petechiae).
• Excessive sweating, especially at night.
• Pain or tenderness in the bones.
• Vision disturbances.

People at risk

• People with genetic disorders. Certain genetic abnormalities play a role in the development of leukemia. For example, Down’s syndrome would be associated with a high risk of leukemia.
• People with blood problems. Certain blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (= bone marrow diseases), can increase the risk of leukemia.
• People who have a family history of leukemia.

Risk factors

• Have undergone cancer treatment. Certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy received for different types of cancer can increase the risk of developing certain forms of leukemia.
• Exposure to high levels of radiation. People exposed to high doses of radiation, for example survivors of a nuclear accident, have a high risk of developing leukemia.
• Exposure to chemicals. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene (a chemical industry product found in gasoline) is said to increase the risk of certain types of leukemia.  
• The tobacco. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of certain types of leukemia.

In children

Certain factors, for example exposure to low-level radioactive radiation, electromagnetic fields or pesticides in young children or during pregnancy could constitute risk factors for childhood leukemia. However, more research needs to be done to clarify their role in the onset of the disease.