Leukemia symptoms in adults can be similar both to cancer symptoms in children and symptoms of other illnesses, including fatigue and fever. This can make diagnosis challenging.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects developing blood cells. Leukemia leads to the production of abnormal white blood cells, which affects the body’s ability to produce healthy new blood cells and effectively respond to infections.

Leukemia can be grouped into different types. These can be differentiated based on how quickly it progresses (acute versus chronic) or what type of cells are affected (lymphocytic versus myeloid).

Continue reading as we break down the various symptoms of leukemia, which types most commonly affect different age groups, and more.

Some of the most common leukemia symptoms that adults experience prior to diagnosis include:

  • Fatigue: This is an extreme form of tiredness. Leukemia can interfere with the body’s ability to produce new blood cells, including red blood cells, which are important for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Fatigue from leukemia also often results from anemia, a shortage of red blood cells.
  • Fever and night sweats: People with leukemia often experience fever, which can also lead to night sweats. Fever is one of the body’s ways of responding to infection, so it’s possible that the body is trying to kill leukemia cells. Leukemia also raises the risk of getting infections, which can also lead to fever.
  • Easy bruising or bleeding: The effects of leukemia can also lead to lower levels of platelets, which are important for blood clotting. Because of this, some people with leukemia can experience easy bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods, and petechiae.
  • Aching in bones or joints: In some cases, leukemia cells can begin to build up in joints or close to the surface of the bone. When these cells accumulate in these areas, pressure can build up, which causes aching pain.
  • Frequent infections: Leukemia can affect the number of healthy white blood cells in the body. Because these cells are important for responding to an infection, people with leukemia may experience more frequent or recurring infections.
  • Unexplained weight loss: This can be a sign of leukemia or other health conditions. It could be due to increased energy use from cancer cells or loss of appetite. If you’ve lost over 5% of your body weight in 6 months to a year, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
  • Shortness of breath: This is another leukemia symptom related to anemia. Since anemia causes a shortage of red blood cells, less oxygen is carried throughout the body. This can lead to shortness of breath. It’s your body trying to take enough oxygen into the lungs.

Additional symptoms

Some additional symptoms that an adult with leukemia may experience include:

Females assigned at birth (FAAB) should be aware of certain symptoms in addition to those discussed above. If leukemia is a concern, it’s important that any of these symptoms be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Because leukemia can affect platelet production, people with leukemia can bleed more easily. FAABs with leukemia may find that they experience:

Additionally, it’s important to note that some leukemia symptoms can be similar to those of menopause. These can include things like:

Pregnancy can also mask some of the potential symptoms of leukemia. For example, fatigue is very common during pregnancy but can also sometimes be a possible sign of leukemia.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children and young adults. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the risk of ALL specifically is highest in children under age 5 and slowly declines until the mid-20s.

On the other hand, Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults ages 25 to 49. However, the ACS notes that it’s still generally uncommon before age 45.

It’s also common in people 50 to 64. Additionally, another type of leukemia that can develop in this age range is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is also one of the most common types of leukemia in adults ages 65 and older. In fact, according to the ACS, the average age of CLL diagnosis is 70 years old.

Another type of leukemia is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). While the average age of diagnosis is 64, almost half of cases are diagnosed in individuals 65 and older.

There are several risk factors that are linked to developing adult leukemia. These can include:

  • Sex: Males assigned at birth (MAABs) are more likely to develop leukemia than FAABs.
  • Age: With the exception of ALL, the chance of getting other types of leukemia increases with age.
  • Family history: Having a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with leukemia can increase a person’s risk.
  • Previous cancer treatment: It’s possible that people who’ve had chemotherapy or radiation therapy for another type of cancer can be at an increased chance of developing leukemia.
  • Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can be a risk factor for developing AML.
  • Environmental exposures: Exposure to radiation or industrial chemicals like benzene raises a person’s leukemia risk.
  • Certain blood disorders: Certain types of blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes, can raise your leukemia risk.
  • Some genetic disorders: Having some types of genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome or Fanconi syndrome, can increase the chance of developing leukemia.

Generally speaking, leukemia symptoms can present similarly regardless of age. However, there may be some differences in terms of cause, though this may depend on the type of leukemia.

For example, one 2018 study examined the genetic features of ALL. Looking at more than 1,000 people of different ages with ALL, the researchers found that certain genetic mutations associated with ALL were more common in adults, whereas certain structural genetic variations seemed to occur more in children.

Another 2018 study looked at differences in cancer in general between adults and children. It found that only 45% of examined genes associated with cancer overlapped between children and adults.

The findings of these studies illustrate that though the symptoms may overlap between adults and children, the treatments may need to vary.

The symptoms of leukemia can be similar to those of other more common health conditions. Because of this, it can sometimes be difficult to know when to schedule a medical appointment.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional if you notice concerning symptoms that could indicate leukemia, particularly if you have any of the risk factors listed above.

Here are some signs that it could be time to schedule a medical appointment:

  • Persistent symptoms: Some symptoms of leukemia can be persistent, meaning that they don’t go away or recur frequently. Some examples include fatigue, shortness of breath, and infections.
  • Unexplained symptoms: Several leukemia symptoms can occur without an obvious cause or explanation. Examples include fever, night sweats, and unintended weight loss.
  • New changes: It’s possible that leukemia can cause new, noticeable changes in a person’s body. Examples include easy bruising, heavier periods in people who have vaginas, or swollen lymph nodes.

A healthcare professional can perform a physical examination and blood tests to help get an idea of what may be causing your symptoms. If leukemia is suspected, they’ll order additional tests, such as a bone marrow biopsy.

What is the first stage of leukemia?

How leukemia is staged depends on the type and the overall likelihood of curing and controlling the cancer. Some types use a staging system that begins in stage 0, which is when abnormally high white blood cell levels are present but no physical symptoms. In this staging system, you progress to stage 4, with each stage meaning the cancer is more advanced and generally harder to cure. Other types of leukemia are staged based on sub-types and the features of the cancer cells.

What is the first indicator of leukemia?

Once leukemia symptoms develop, they can be vague and mimic other conditions. Chronic leukemia may show early signs such as swollen organs and frequent infections, while acute leukemia can mimic flu-like symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help to rule out cancer and get the right treatment.

Is leukemia curable if caught early?

This depends on the type of leukemia. Although people can live a long time with chronic leukemia, curing it is difficult. Starting treatment early doesn’t significantly extend life expectancy and can have negative side effects, so doctors usually recommend waiting until symptoms are bothersome or the disease progresses before starting treatment.

On the other hand, recent medical advancements have improved the chances of recovering from ALL. Currently, 90% of adults achieve complete remission, but relapses are still common, and overall survival rates vary based on factors such as subtype and prognosis.

There are different types of leukemia. Most are more common in older adults than in younger individuals. However, some types, such as ALL, are more common in children and young adults.

Many of the symptoms of leukemia are similar to those of other health conditions, like fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath. It’s also possible that symptoms can vary based on the type of leukemia or your age.

Talk with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms that are consistent with leukemia — especially if they’re persistent or can’t be explained by another condition. Specific tests can be done to find out what may be causing them.