Signs
The signs of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) that may give clue to the diagnosis of this condition includes:
- Painless lumps in the neck, underarm or groin.
- Pain below the ribs on left side, due an enlarged spleen
- Joint pains due to swelling, bleeding or weakness
Symptoms
The symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) tend to resemble other medical conditions. Each individual may experience the symptoms differently. These include:
1. General symptoms. The general symptoms are similar to that of an attack of viral flu that keeps coming back. Patients with ALL often have several non-specific symptoms. These can include:
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent Fever
- Frequent infections
- Weakness
2. Bone or joint pain. Sometimes leukemia cells buildup near the surface of the bone or inside the joint and cause bone or joint pain.
3. Enlarged lymph nodes. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia that has spread to lymph nodes close to the surface of the body (such as on the sides of the neck, in the groin, or in underarm areas), might be noticed as lumps under the skin. Lymph nodes inside the chest or abdomen may also swell, but these can be detected only by imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans.
4. Problems caused by low blood cell counts. Most signs and symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia result from shortages of normal blood cells, which happen when the leukemia cells crowd out the normal blood-making cells in the bone marrow. These shortages show up on blood tests, but they can also cause symptoms, including:
- Bleeding, such as frequent or severe nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Bruising easily
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling tired
- Feeling weak
- Fever
- Recurring infections
- Shortness of breath
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia may spread to the chest cavity, where it can cause fluid buildup and trouble breathing.
- If acute lymphoblastic leukemia spreads to the brain and spinal cord it can cause headaches, weakness, seizures, vomiting, trouble with balance, facial numbness, or blurred vision.
- Rarely, acute lymphoblastic leukemia may spread to the skin, eyes, testicles, kidneys, or other organs.
7. Symptoms from an enlarged thymus. The T-cell subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia often affects the thymus, which is a small organ in the middle of the chest behind the sternum (breastbone) and in front of the trachea (windpipe). An enlarged thymus can press on the trachea, causing coughing or trouble breathing.
The superior vena cava (SVC), a large vein that carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart, passes next to the thymus. If the thymus is enlarged, it may press on the SVC, causing the blood to “back up” in the veins. This is known as SVC syndrome. It can cause swelling in the face, neck, arms, and upper chest (sometimes with a bluish-red color). It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and a change in consciousness if it affects the brain. The SVC syndrome can be life-threatening, and needs to be treated right away.
Symptoms may appear very quickly over a few weeks, and treatment needs to be given as soon as possible. If you have any of these symptoms you should have them checked by your doctor, but remember they are common to many illnesses other than leukaemia.