How long have we had leukemia before diagnosis

[Guest guest]

In reference to 's letter, I found this information he may be able to

relate to:

" Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone

marrow. It then invades the blood and can spread to other parts of the body. In

CML, leukemia cells tend to build up in the body over time. In many cases people

don't have any symptoms for at least a few years. "

Listed below are some of the symptoms you may have felt for the years before

your diagnosis, . See if you can identify with them and try to remember

how long you can remember that you had them. The article above suggests that

some patients do not have symptoms for at least a few years.

One of the symptoms you mentioned was having an enlarged spleen. Not everyone

experiences problems with their spleen. I never did, but many did. Fortunately

for you, you can now get Gleevec and you said you were feeling well. If you

have any results from your blood work or bone marrow aspirations, you may want

to share that with us and then you would get some feedback from our members who

have greater knowledge than me.

a.. Weakness

b.. Feeling very tired most of the time (fatigue)

c.. Night sweats

d.. Weight loss

e.. Fever

f.. Bone pain

g.. Enlarged spleen (felt as a mass under the left side of the ribs)

h.. Pain or a sense of fullness in the belly (especially after eating even a

small meal)

http://www.everydayhealth.com/leukemia/what-is-chronic-myeloid-leukemia.aspx

FYI,

Lottie