blood disorders
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Symptoms of ALL
Early symptoms of ALL result from the inability of the bone marrow to produce enough normal blood cells. Fever and excessive sweating may indicate infection, which may result from too few normal white blood cells. Weakness, fatigue, and paleness may result from too few red blood cells ( Overview of Anemia ). Some people may have trouble breathing, a rapid heart rate, or chest pain. Easy bruising and bleeding, sometimes in the form of nosebleeds or bleeding gums may result from too few platelets ( Overview of Thrombocytopenia ). In some cases, people may bleed into their brain or abdomen. Other symptoms occur when leukemic cells invade other organs. Leukemia cells in the brain may cause headaches, vomiting, stroke, and disturbances of vision, equilibrium, hearing, and facial muscles. Leukemia cells in the bone marrow may cause bone and joint pain. A sense of fullness in the abdomen and sometimes pain can result when leukemia cells cause enlargement of the liver and spleen. About 80% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are cured. 