The onset of leukemia is often asymptomatic; in fact, the majority of leukemics do not suspect any clinical signs characteristic of the disease. They learn they have leukemia during a blood test or medical exams done for any other medical condition. In general, mostly when the disease becomes chronic, leukemia symptoms may include:
- weight loss
- decreased appetite
- fever or chills
- shortness of breath
- bone pain or tenderness
- excessive night sweats
- easy bleeding or bruising
- enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly)
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
- liver enlargement (hepatomegaly)
- weakness and fatigue
- physical weakness and loss of strength (asthenia)
- small red spots in your skin (petechiae)