Leukemia is one of the types of blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, which enter the bloodstream, and then encounter normal, healthy blood cells, to be an obstacle to them from completing their functions correctly. Below we review the symptoms of leukemia, its types, and treatment methods.

Symptoms of leukemia

Leukemia results from the proliferation of white cells out of control in the body, which necessarily leads to their accumulation in bone marrow, blood, and other tissues inside the body. The symptoms of leukemia also vary according to the type of disease and its development, but there are a group of common symptoms that must be recognized, which are:

• Bleeding and bruising due to a decrease in the number of platelets, as the patient suffers from frequent bleeding with redness.
• Recurring infections due to a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the patient’s body.
• Bone and joint pain, due to the accumulation of leukemia cells in the bone marrow.
• Increased size of the liver and spleen.
• Anorexia.
• Increased temperature and night sweats.
• Swelling and bleeding in the gums.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

What are the symptoms of leukemia on the skin?

Symptoms may develop سرطان الدم It causes signs that appear on the skin, including:

• Freckles.
• Ulcers in the mouth.
• Swelling in the gums.
• Red, brown, or purple spots appear on the skin.
• Changes in skin color.
• The appearance of skin infections.
• الكدمات.
• Lumps appear under the skin.
• Paleness in the skin.
• Nail infection.

Early recognition of the symptoms of leukemia can contribute to rapid diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment. At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital To the oncology centerWe provide accurate assessments and advanced treatment plans for leukemia cases, under the supervision of an elite group of oncologists and hematologists.

What are the types of leukemia?

Types of leukemia vary between acute and chronic, and their symptoms vary as follows:

• Acute leukemia, its symptoms appear quickly and develop rapidly, and its common symptoms are fever, extreme fatigue, bleeding, bruising, recurrent infections, and pain in the bones and joints.
• Chronic leukemia, which appears slowly and develops over a longer period, and its common symptoms are enlargement of the spleen and liver, loss of appetite, low weight, and exhaustion and fatigue.

Diagnosis of leukemia

Diagnosing cancer begins with examining the body and looking for signs of leukemia, such as an enlarged spleen, liver, or lymph nodes. Then the necessary tests are performed, including blood tests, where the doctor diagnoses the disease by examining the complete blood count and performing a number of different tests, including:

• فحص وظائف الكلى.
• Liver function test.
• Test to determine uric acid level.
• A blood smear under a microscope.
• Bone marrow biopsy.
• Lumbar puncture to look for cancer cells in the spinal fluid.
• Cytogenetic examination.
• X-rays and ultrasound to examine the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.
• Performing CT scans and MRIs to determine the spread of leukemia in the body.

How long do test results take?

The waiting period for the results of the tests necessary to diagnose leukemia varies greatly, and the duration varies depending on the type of test and laboratory. It should be noted that a complete blood test takes between 24 and 48 hours, a bone marrow biopsy takes between two and two weeks, and the results of radiology and ultrasound take between one and two days.

How can I prepare for a bone marrow examination?

Of course, you ask yourself what preparations you need to prepare for a bone marrow examination. First and foremost, you must be psychologically calm and take a rest, then discuss with your doctor the purpose of the examination, ask about the necessary instructions before the examination, take the medications prescribed by the specialist doctor regularly before the examination, and avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine before the examination.

What are the methods of treating leukemia?

Methods of treating leukemia vary. They depend on the type and stage the condition has reached. Among the most prominent treatment methods that doctors rely on are:

Chemotherapy

It is considered the primary treatment for leukemia, and chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy takes months that may reach years.

Radiotherapy

In this method, high-energy X-rays are used, which help kill cancer cells. This treatment is used before bone marrow transplantation, and is useful in treating the spread of cancer in the skull.

Bone marrow transplant

This method is used to replace damaged bone marrow with a healthy one, and the doctor performs this step after chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Molecular therapy

This treatment targets molecules in cancer cells. It is a more precise treatment than known chemotherapy, and it has fewer side effects.

Immunotherapy

The body's immune system is used to attack cancer cells itself, which is known as gene-edited immune cell therapy.

Can leukemia be cured?

Certainly, this is the first question that comes to your mind and ears when you learn that you have leukemia. It is worth noting that it is possible to recover from leukemia, by God’s will, especially in the early stages of the disease, but the chances of recovery differ from one patient to another.

In conclusion, do not hesitate to seek help from a specialist doctor and your health care team Al Mousa Specialist HospitalWe emphasize that as soon as any of the symptoms of leukemia appear, you should go to see a doctor so that you can begin the treatment journey with the early stages of the disease.