A significant proportion of people with leukemia are completely free of symptoms and are diagnosed on a routine physical examination. The doctor may find an enlarged lymph node or an enlarged liver or spleen . Then again, the physical examination may be completely normal, but the routine blood test is abnormal.
People who do have symptoms commonly complain about generalized weakness, fevers, frequent infections, anemia or easy bruising or bleeding. Bleeding may be from the gums or nose or there may be blood in the stool or urine. Some people may have enlarged lymph glands, abdominal fullness or pain from enlargement of the liver or spleen. Less commonly, there may be complaints of headaches, fevers, skin rash or breast masses.
