How long can you have leukemia for without knowing?

The white cells in the blood grow very quickly, over a matter of days to weeks. Sometimes a patient with acute leukemia has no symptoms or has normal blood work even a few weeks or months before the diagnosis. The change can be quite dramatic.

Is it obvious if you have leukemia?

What Are the Symptoms of Leukemia? Many types of leukemia produce no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Eventually, symptoms may include any of the following: Anemia and related symptoms, such as fatigue, pallor, and a general feeling of illness.

Can leukemia symptoms come on suddenly?

The signs or symptoms of leukemia may vary depending on whether you have an acute or chronic type of leukemia. Acute leukemia may cause signs and symptoms that are similar to the flu. They come on suddenly within days or weeks. Chronic leukemia often causes only a few symptoms or none at all.

Does Leukemia feel hot?

Night sweats can be a symptom of cancer, especially blood-related cancers like leukemia. 5 Unlike the common hot flashes or sweating associated with menopause, night sweats related to leukemia are often dramatic.

What does a person with leukemia look like?

Leukemia cutis appears as red or purplish red, and it occasionally looks dark red or brown. It affects the outer skin layer, the inner skin layer, and the layer of tissue beneath the skin. The rash can involve flushed skin, plaques, and scaly lesions. It most commonly appears on the trunk, arms, and legs.

What are signs of leukemia in blood work?

Symptoms vary depending on the type and stage of leukemia, but they can include the following:

• Fever, chills, night sweats and other flu-like symptoms.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Swollen or bleeding gums.
• Headaches.
• Enlarged liver and spleen.
• Swollen tonsils.
• Bone pain.
• Paleness.

What can prevent you from getting leukemia?

Quit Smoking: Most of the risk factors in leukemia cannot be avoided like radiation for treating other types of cancers.

What can trigger leukemia?

Some factors increase the risk of developing leukemia. The following are either known or suspected factors: artificial ionizing radiation. viruses, such as the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) and HIV. benzene and some petrochemicals. alkylating chemotherapy agents used in previous cancers. hair dyes. smoking.

What does it feel like to have leukemia?

Your diet is another important factor in how well you feel when you have leukemia. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, can cause persistent fatigue that leaves you physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted — so much so that it may interfere with your daily activities.