Blood cancer is characterized by the abnormal production and function of your blood cells. Blood cells include your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The three main types of blood cancer that affect these blood cells are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Blood cancer can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Some occur with all blood cancers, and others are more characteristic of a specific type. For example, bone pain is common of myeloma, while enlarged lymph nodes are a characteristic of lymphoma.
The shared symptoms of all types of blood cancer include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant fatigue and exhaustion
- Bone pain and tenderness
- Frequent infections
- Persistent sweating, especially at night.
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Itchy skin
- Easy bleeding and bruising
- Recurrent nose bleeds
- A feeling of weakness or breathlessness
When to See a Doctor
Symptoms may not be present if you have myeloma or a slow-growing type of leukemia. Additionally, leukemia symptoms can also be vague and simply feel like a case of the flu. For these reasons, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose blood cancer, but if you have any persistent symptoms that concern you, then do not hesitate to see your doctor.
