Leukemia is a morbid condition of cells that form blood. These cells are present in the bone marrow and it is a malignant disease which means that the disease will involve distant organs also. The word ‘leukemia’ means white blood. Causes of leukemia are not known but these are probably environmental factors and life style which causes leukemia.
Leukemia involves spleen, liver and lymph nodes. Kidneys are also involved. Leukemia can extend to heart, lungs and brain too in severe cases and the symptoms appear corresponding to the organ and organ system involved. The symptoms also vary according to type of leukemia patient is suffering from. In USA, out of every 0.1 million people, 13 persons suffer from leukemia.
The features of leukemia are tiredness, weight loss, bruising, lethargy, breathlessness, anorexia, sweating, abdominal distension, fever, anemia, joint pain, bleeding from mucous membrane, hepatomegaly or liver enlargement, kidney enlargement and spleenic enlargement. Splenomegaly or spleen enlargement is a very diagnostic symptom of leukemia. It is present in 90% of patients whereas liver enlargement is present in 50% of patients. Lymph nodes can also become enlarged and are palpable below the skin in the neck, axilla, thigh and abdominal regions lymph node enlargement is present in unusual cases in which the disease has progressed to severe degree. These symptoms appear on account of malignant nature of disease.
The onset and progress of the disease is very insidious and symptoms become prominent only after the diseased has reached fatal levels. The condition is initially painless, there is anemia, fatigue, lethargy, tiredness, short breathing, reduced stamina, low strength, joint pains and fever is present. The disease slowly moves to the abdominal organs like spleen, which is first organ to be involved after bone marrow itself. Secondly, liver and lymph nodes and later kidney also get enlarged.
If brain is involved there are central nervous system affections causing, seizures, convulsions, high grade fever, and loss of vision, delirium, delusion, nervousness, dizziness, confusion and depression.
Kidney dysfunction causes backache in lumbar region, dysuria, and painful micturition, loss of proteins in urine and frequent but scanty urination the left abdominal region or left flank becomes enlarged and spleen can be palpated by the patient too. This condition is painful.
Enlargement of liver causes pain in right side of abdomen, jaundice, indigestion, loss of appetite and pain in right shoulder can be present. In moderate cases of leukemia pain in bones and joints, short and difficult breathing, splenomegaly, fatigue, tiredness, abdominal discomfort, anemia and fever are common findings.