People don't just stroll
into the office saying, "I've got leukemia, how about a blood smear and bone
marrow aspirate?"
Presenting symptoms are
of general failure of the bone marrow.
Replacement of the
marrow with the malignant population leads to suppression of the healthy
cells. Basically it's habitat loss, the healthy cells get squeezed out of
the picture.
Decreased RBCs
leads to complaints of anemia.
Lethargy and decreased
stamina
Shortness of breath (SOB)
Decreased WBCs
lead to infections.
Pneumonia is a common
presenting symptom as well as common terminal event.
Decreased platelets
result in ease of bruising and bleeding.
Petechia
Bleeding from the gums
Hemorrhage is another
common cause of death.
On occasion people experience
bone pain. This is especially so with children.