Can you have leukemia for years without knowing?

Chronic leukemia involves more-mature blood cells. These blood cells replicate or accumulate more slowly and can function normally for a period of time. Some forms of chronic leukemia initially produce no early symptoms and can go unnoticed or undiagnosed for years.

How long can you have leukemia without symptoms?

Many people don't have any symptoms for at least a few years. In time, the cells can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

How long can you have leukemia before noticing?

Chronic Leukemia May Go Undetected

Unlike acute leukemia, chronic leukemia develops slowly. It may take months or even several years before the disease begins to cause symptoms that alert the patient that something is wrong.

Can you have leukemia and not even know it?

Many people are diagnosed with CLL even though they do not have any symptoms. The disease may be suspected because of abnormal results from blood tests that were ordered either as part of an annual physical or a medical examination for an unrelated condition.

What happens if leukemia goes undiagnosed?

If this disease is left untreated, a person with leukemia becomes increasingly susceptible to fatigue, excessive bleeding and infections until, finally, the body becomes virtually defenseless, making every minor injury or infection very serious. Leukemia may be fatal.

Can you have leukemia for years without knowing?

Can you feel fine with leukemia?

Chronic leukemia often causes only a few symptoms or none at all. Signs and symptoms usually develop gradually. People with a chronic leukemia often complain that they just do not feel well.

What diseases mimic leukemia?

Does all leukemia show up in bloodwork?

By looking at a sample of your blood, your doctor can determine if you have abnormal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets — which may suggest leukemia. A blood test may also show the presence of leukemia cells, though not all types of leukemia cause the leukemia cells to circulate in the blood.

What is the very first symptom of leukemia?

Leukaemia symptoms commonly include fatigue, breathlessness, infections, and bruising or bleeding more easily. Leukaemia* symptoms vary depending on the type of leukaemia. Not everyone gets the same symptoms, and you won't necessarily have all of the symptoms. Most people with these symptoms won't have leukemia.

What are the warning signs of leukemia?

What are red flags of leukemia?

Some signs of leukemia, like night sweats, fever, fatigue and achiness, resemble flu-like symptoms. Unlike symptoms of the flu, which generally subside as patients get better, leukemia symptoms generally last longer than two weeks, and may include sudden weight loss, bone and joint pain and easy bleeding or bruising.

Do you feel sick with leukemia?

Some leukemia symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, fatigue, aches and night sweats often resemble the cold, flu or other common illness. If symptoms don't go away at a normal pace (1-2 weeks), or you notice a combination of these symptoms at one time, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis.

Can leukemia be missed in a CBC?

CBC is the most useful initial laboratory test in patients suspected of having leukemia. Most patients will show some abnormality in the CBC and some blasts will be seen in the peripheral smear in patients with acute leukemias. To diagnose CLL, a lymphocytosis of greater than 5000/mm³ must be present.

What hurts if you have leukemia?

Leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can cause bone or joint pain, usually because your bone marrow has become overcrowded with cancer cells. At times, these cells may form a mass near the spinal cord's nerves or in the joints.

What triggers leukemia in adults?

While the exact cause of leukemia—or any cancer, for that matter—is unknown, there are several risk factors that have been identified, such as radiation exposure, previous cancer treatment and being over the age of 65.

What part of the body does leukemia affect?

What is Leukemia (Blood Cancer)? Leukemia starts in the soft, inner part of the bones (bone marrow), but often moves quickly into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system and other organs.

What is the WBC count for all leukemia?

The white blood cell (WBC) count is greater than 10,000/µL in 50% to 60% of patients diagnosed with ALL and may be higher than 100,000/µL in 10%. Another 30% to 40% have WBC counts lower than 10,000/µL [63].

Can leukemia be seen on CT scan?

Doctors sometimes use imaging tests including chest x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans to determine whether leukemia cells have affected the bones or organs such as the kidneys, the brain, or the lymph nodes. In addition, a physical exam is an important part of diagnosis for leukemia.

Can you have leukemia with normal labs?

However, only 4% of adults with acute leukemia present with musculoskeletal manifestations. These patients often have relatively normal blood cell counts and a lower incidence of organomegaly. This form of presentation can lead to delays in the diagnosis of acute leukemia in adults.

What lab finding is most indicative of leukemia?

Your doctor will conduct a complete blood count (CBC) to determine if you have leukemia. This test may reveal if you have leukemic cells. Abnormal levels of white blood cells and abnormally low red blood cell or platelet counts can also indicate leukemia.