The symptoms of leukaemia are caused mainly by a shortage of normal blood cells. This is the result of the uncontrolled growth of diseased cells in the bone marrow.
Acute leukaemia usually strikes suddenly with a severe sensation of sickness, fever and infection. The risk for bruising and bleeding also increases. Sometimes the lymph nodes, spleen and liver are enlarged.
Chronic leukaemia usually begins stealthily and is often diagnosed coincidentally as part of a routine check-up. Here also, the initial signs can be a general feeling of malaise, fatigue, reduced energy, fever or night sweating. With chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), the spleen is often enlarged and with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), the lymph nodes are sometimes enlarged.
The disease is diagnosed using blood and bone marrow tests. Additional tests, such as ultrasounds or scans are also necessary.