If the leukemia progresses: Blood Transfusions

 In leukemia, there is no tumor. Instead, cancer cells invade the body, blood, and bone marrow, disrupting the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the bone marrow.

Cancer patients with leukemia may develop anemia (too few red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (too few platelets). Sometimes they also develop leukopenia (low white blood cell count). At some point during treatment for chronic or acute leukemia, most patients need blood transfusions to replace abnormal blood cells.

If the platelet count becomes too low or if a patient has symptoms such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums, he or she may need a platelet transfusion. If the red blood cell count is low, a patient may need a red blood cell transfusion. When red blood cells are low, confusion, shortness of breath, and fatigue are common. 

As chronic leukemia progresses, end-stage transfusions may be needed more frequently to provide patients with normal blood cells. If a patient requires multiple transfusions per week, the disease has most likely begun to severely affect their quality of life. When the immune system is weakened, infections such as pneumonia become a threat. 

Symptoms of end- stage leukemia include a complete lack of energy and weakness. Leukemia patients may spend most of their time sleeping, resting, or in bed. 

With end-stage leukemia, elderly patients (as well as people of any age) may die because their blood can no longer clot. This can lead to sudden blood loss or stroke.

In end-stage leukemia, it is important for loved ones to know what pain feels like for their loved one. Fortunately, with the right palliative care measures, the patient can be well cared for in the final stages of the disease.

What else to expect during the terminal stage

When a cancer patient is nearing death, end-stage symptoms can look different for everyone. There is no way to predict when it will be time to say goodbye or how that will happen. These are some of the end-stage leukemia symptoms to watch out for.

Weakness

In most cases, a patient is extremely weak towards the end of the cancer. They have difficulty moving around and getting out of bed. Sometimes there are sudden muscle movements, such as a twitching of the hands, arms, legs, or face.

Confusion

Leukemia patients may be confused about time, place, or people. Their attention span may be short and they may have trouble focusing on what is happening around them. 

Food intake

Towards the end of the disease, cancer patients may show little to no interest in food and fluids. It is not uncommon for them to eat and drink very little for days at a time.

Sleep

In the final stages, you may notice that your loved one is sleepy. Once the pain is relieved, he may sleep most of the day. It may also be hard to wake him. 

Anxiety

Patients may be restless, anxious, or lonely, especially at night. They may tug at the bedclothes or talk about things that have nothing to do with current events.

Mucus

Mucus may build up in the back of a patient's throat, causing a rattling sound. Although it is difficult to hear, it often does not bother the patient. 

Skin

Toward the end of the disease, blood flow slows, which means the skin on the arms and legs may feel cold. The skin may also darken and look blue or blotchy. 

Heart rate

In older patients and others in a late stage of cancer, the heartbeat may become fast, weak, or irregular.

Vision

Patients may have difficulty closing their eyelids, and vision may become blurred. 

Breathing

Breathing may speed up and slow down. This is due to decreased blood circulation. Patients may also groan as they breathe or not breathe at all for 10 or even 30 seconds.

Urine and bowel movements

Urine may become darker and the patient may lose control of urine and bowel movements.