There are many different types of cancer that can be grouped under the general term blood cancer, and each individual type has its own symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that are common to many different types of blood cancer and these are described below.
Blood cancer is a type of cancer that can affect the cells in the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes. As the cancer cells grow, they can crowd out the healthy blood cells, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Many of the symptoms of blood cancer are typically related to a lower than normal amount of these blood cells. When the body does not have enough red blood cells, it is called anemia. A lack of white blood cells is called neutropenia, and when there are not enough platelets, it is called thrombocytopenia. When there are too few of all three types of blood cells, it is called pancytopenia.
Low red blood cell count
When blood cancer affects the development of red blood cells (RBCs), anemia occurs. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide from the cells back to the lungs. Anemia can cause the body to experience certain symptoms related to the inadequate supply of oxygen, including
Fatigue or weakness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headache
Cold hands or feet
fast or irregular heartbeat
pale skin
chest pain
Low white blood cell count
When blood cancer causes a lower than normal white blood cell (WBC) count, it is called neutropenia. White blood cells are the immune system's first line of defense, and neutropenia can increase the risk of infections and cause the following symptoms:
Repeated infections or infections that will not go away
Fever, especially without an obvious cause
Chills or sweating
sores in the mouth
tiredness or feeling unwell
Sore throat
sore skin4
Low platelet count
When blood cancer causes a lack of platelets, the body's ability to clot normally is affected (thrombocytopenia). Platelets, also called thrombocytes, can stick together (coagulate) at the site of an injury and form a fibrin clot. The fibrin also creates an internal structure in which new tissue can grow and healing can occur. If a person does not have an adequate amount of platelets, they may have difficulty forming blood clots and may experience significant blood loss when injured. Symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include:
Frequent bruising, especially for no clear reason.
Bleeding easily, such as from cuts, gums, or frequent nosebleeds
Small, pinhead-sized red spots on the skin (called "petechiae")
Blood in the urine or stool
heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
persistent bleeding from cuts
Fatigue
Enlarged spleen
Other symptoms of blood cancer
Many of the common symptoms of blood cancer can also be caused by other conditions, and it's important to get checked out by a doctor to determine the cause of these symptoms. In addition, not everyone with blood cancer has the same symptoms. Common symptoms that can be caused by certain blood cancers include:
Unexpected weight loss
Night sweats
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Enlarged lymph nodes
abdominal fullness
pain in the arms, legs or joints
