Doctors say easy bruising, bleeding and joint pain can be early warning signs of leukemia; 6 symptoms to know

Leukemia is often thought of as a childhood cancer, but in reality, it can affect anyone – at any age. What makes it particularly dangerous is that its early warning signs are often subtle and easy to dismiss, appearing long before major symptoms develop. From persistent fatigue to frequent infections or unexplained injuries, these early clues can tell a lot about what’s going on inside the body.

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Anaesthesiologist and pain management specialist Dr Kunal Sood is raising awareness about the early warning signs of leukemia that are often ignored. In an Instagram video posted on October 16, the doctor shares the subtle signs that appear long before major symptoms.

He highlighted that while chronic leukemia is often detected in routine blood counts, long before symptoms appear, the acute form progresses much more quickly and requires immediate medical attention. He emphasizes that if these symptoms persist or cluster together, it is essential to consult a doctor, as early detection can save lives.

What is leukemia?

Dr. Sood defines it as, “Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, where abnormal white blood cells grow uncontrolled. These cells cannot fight infection and replace healthy red blood cells and platelets.”

Although it is often considered a childhood cancer, doctors highlight that it can appear at any age, even when the person is young and appears to be healthy. Dr Sood mentions two main types of leukemia, acute leukemia – which grows rapidly, and requires immediate treatment – ​​and chronic leukemia – where progression is slow. “Risk factors may include genetics, chemical or radiation exposure, and sometimes there is no apparent cause,” he says.

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early warning signs

According to Dr. Sood, “Leukemia begins in the bone marrow, where abnormal white blood cells form and crowd out healthy blood cells.” This imbalance in the blood is manifested by the following symptoms:

1. Fatigue and weakness: Anemia causes reduced red blood cells.
2. Frequent or severe infections: White blood cells are abundant but inactive, leading to weakened immunity.
3. Easy bruising or bleeding: From low platelets (thrombocytopenia). Nose bleeding, bleeding gums, or petechiae (small red spots) may appear.
4. Bone or joint pain: Caused by marrow filled with abnormal cells.
5. Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen or liver: Sometimes painless swelling in the neck, armpits or abdomen.
6. Night sweats, fever, or unexplained weight loss: “Constitutional symptoms” are common in blood cancer.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.