How can you test for leukemia at home?
If you research how you can test for leukemia at home online, you might come across by-mail blood test kits. Aside from this, the only way for testing leukemia at home is to be aware of the symptoms. From there, you would see your healthcare professional for further testing (which we’ll explain below).
What are the signs and symptoms of childhood leukemia?
Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Leukemia. Swelling of the face and arms: An enlarged thymus might press on the superior vena cava (SVC), which is a large vein that carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart. This can cause the blood to “back up” in the veins. This is known as SVC syndrome.
How old does a child have to be to have leukemia?
Leukemia can be chronic, and the symptoms may develop slowly, or it can be acute, and the symptoms may appear very quickly. Childhood leukemia also affects teens. It is the most common type of cancer in children under the age of 15, according to the National Cancer Institute in the United States.
What are the symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
This is known as SVC syndrome. It can result in swelling in the face, neck, arms, and upper chest (sometimes with a bluish-red skin color). Symptoms can also include headaches, dizziness, and a change in consciousness if it affects the brain.
Why does a child with leukemia have a stomachache?
The blood’s ability to clot depends on healthy blood platelets. In a child with leukemia, a blood test will reveal an abnormally low platelet count. A child with leukemia may complain of a stomachache. This is because leukemia cells can accumulate in the spleen, liver, and kidneys, causing them to enlarge.
What are the first signs of childhood leukemia?
In general, common symptoms of childhood leukemia include: Fever. Shortness of breath. Fatigue. Frequent infections. Painless blue or purple lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin.
How do you know if a child has leukemia?
Many signs and symptoms of childhood leukemia happen when leukemia cells crowd out normal cells. Common symptoms include: Fatigue or pale skin. Infections and fever. Easy bleeding or bruising. Extreme fatigue or weakness. Shortness of breath.
What are the early warning signs of leukemia?
The early warning signs of leukemia include paleness, fatigue, weight loss, a tendency to bruise easily, repeated infections, and heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, such as nosebleeds. Any of these symptoms can appear suddenly in acute leukemia. Normally, a person with acute leukemia will feel sick due to these symptoms and see their doctor.
What do the first signs of leukemia look like?
Leukemia cells may build up in the liver and spleen, making them larger. This may be noticed as a fullness or swelling of the belly . The lower ribs usually cover these organs, but when they are enlarged the doctor can feel them. If leukemia cells spread to the skin, they can cause lumps or spots that may look like common rashes.