what are the symptoms?

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For the acute leukaemias, common symptoms are:

  • feeling tired
  • persistent infections

  • breathlessness

  • unexplained weight loss

  • pain in the bones and joints

  • unusual bleeding - for example you may bruise more easily, or your gums may bleed, especially after you brush your teeth.

People with chronic leukaemias may not feel ill to start with. It may take weeks or months for any symptoms to appear.

Eventually, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia may cause swollen lymph nodes, so that you feel lumps in your neck, armpits or groin. Other symptoms include tiredness, weight loss, infections, sweating and unusual bleeding. However, many patients find out they have CLL only when they have a routine blood test for some other reason.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia may enlarge the spleen, causing pain in the abdomen. It may also cause sweating, tiredness, loss of appetite, breathing problems, weight loss and unusual bleeding.




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