Acute leukaemia symptoms and risk factors

What are the symptoms?

Occasionally, a person will have no symptoms or vague symptoms such as an ongoing cold, and the leukaemia is discovered during a routine blood test. Usually, people with acute leukaemia find that some of the following symptoms appear quickly over a few weeks.

Anaemia – Low levels of red blood cells (anaemia) can cause tiredness (fatigue), weakness, a pale complexion and breathlessness.

Increased bruising and bleeding – Low platelet levels can cause bruising without a bump or fall, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy periods, and small red or purple spots on the skin or mouth (called petechiae).

Repeated or persistent infections – A lack of normal white blood cells can cause mouth sores or ulcers, sore throats, fevers, sweats, coughing, boils, infected cuts or scratches, and frequent and painful passing of urine. A low white blood cell level can also lead to more serious infections.

Enlarged spleen and lymph nodes – When leukaemia causes a build-up of abnormal white blood cells, the lymph nodes and spleen can become swollen. An enlarged spleen can cause pain or discomfort in the abdomen or back.

Less common symptoms – These include bone or joint pain, swollen and tender gums, skin rashes, headaches, weight loss, vision problems, vomiting and chest pains.

What are the risk factors?

The exact causes of acute leukaemia are not yet understood. Things known to increase the chance of developing the disease include:

• previous treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• having certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
• exposure to high levels of radiation (e.g. nuclear accident)
• exposure to some chemicals, such as benzene
• smoking and/or obesity
• particular blood disorders, such as myelodysplasia (for AML)
• some viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (for ALL), but this is rare.