Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

Many ALL symptoms are caused by the change to normal blood cell production. You may not have all or any of the symptoms which include:

• Big and small bruises on the skin, especially the legs. These tiny bruises can look like a rash. They are caused by a failing platelet count.
• High temperatures or fevers, repeated infections - caused by fewer white blood cells.
• Tiredness (fatigue), shortness of breath and weakness - caused by fewer red blood cells (anaemia).
• Blood in your urine or stools (poo), or swollen or bleeding gums - caused by fewer platelets.
• Aching bones and joints - caused by too many abnormal cells in your bone marrow.
• Enlarged glands, for example in one or both armpits, in the groin or neck, or enlarged tonsils.
• Enlarged spleen or liver - you may have a poor appetite, pain in your abdomen (tummy) or abdominal swelling.
• Sepsis - this is a reaction to an infection. You may feel generally unwell, have a high or low temperature, or feel shivery. These symptoms require urgent action.
• Loss of appetite.
• All these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to go to the GP and get any unusual changes checked. 

All these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to go to the GP and get any unusual changes checked. 

Testing for ALL when you have no symptoms is called screening. There is no leukaemia screening programme. This is because there have been no tests proven to help predict leukaemia. 

If you are worried about leukaemia, contact your family doctor (GP).