Leukaemia (leukemia): symptoms, types, causes and treatment

Cancer Research UK lists common symptoms of leukaemia in adults. It stresses that the symptoms are often caused by other medical conditions, but it is important to see your GP if you have any of them, and that the exact symptoms depend on the type of leukaemia. Most people with these symptoms do not have leukaemia.

Cancer Research UK says leukaemia is a type of blood cancer. It means that the body makes large numbers of abnormal white blood cells. Blood cancers are also called haematological cancers. There are many different types, and the treatment you need depends on the type.

The NHS calls acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia rare types of cancer that affect the blood and bone marrow.

Cancer Research UK says to make sure you know which type you want information about, and to ask your doctor or specialist nurse if you are not sure. Leukaemias are described as acute or chronic, and by the type of white blood cell involved.

The NHS says to see a GP if you have symptoms. For acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia it says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 for some signs, such as a child bleeding or bruising easily or for no reason.

For ALL, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child have a swollen and red face, neck, arms or hands that came on suddenly, or swollen veins in the neck or chest that came on suddenly. For CML it says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have an erection that lasts more than 2 hours.

The NHS also says these symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions, so having them does not definitely mean you have leukaemia, but it is important to get them checked because finding cancer early may make it easier to treat.

Cancer Research UK says your GP can do a physical examination and blood tests to help find the cause of your symptoms. Depending on the results, your GP might arrange for you to see a haematologist at hospital, a doctor who specialises in diseases of the blood. Some people have to go to hospital straight away, and your GP will contact the hospital if they suspect leukaemia.

The haematologist does more tests, and the exact tests depend on the type of leukaemia they suspect. The NHS says that for AML the GP will usually arrange an urgent blood test, and for CLL an urgent referral is usually made within 2 weeks if you have certain symptoms.

Treatment depends on the type, your age and your general health. The NHS says the acute types are often treatable and that treatment usually needs to start quickly, while for CLL and CML you may not need treatment straight away.

The NHS says leukaemia is rare but anyone can get it, and it is not always clear what causes it. It lists factors that make some types more likely.

• For ALL: being a child or young adult (most common in children aged 4 and under), a genetic condition such as Down's syndrome, certain types of chemotherapy, radiation or radiotherapy in the past, high levels of benzene, or a weakened immune system such as HIV.

• For AML: being aged 60 or older, a genetic condition such as Down's syndrome, another blood disorder, an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the past, regular exposure to high levels of benzene, and smoking.

The NHS says acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is most common in children aged 4 and under. Symptoms listed include feeling tired or weak, bleeding or bruising easily or for no reason, looking paler than usual, getting ill a lot, a high temperature, swollen glands, bone or joint pain, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and a swollen tummy.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child is bleeding or bruising easily or for no reason. Cancer Research UK has separate information on signs and symptoms of cancer in children, and on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

On the NHS, leukaemia is suspected by a GP and confirmed by a haematologist, with treatment led by a specialist team. The NHS says your team will explain treatments, benefits and side effects, create a treatment plan and manage side effects, with regular check-ups during and after treatment.

Some people also see a private haematologist for a second opinion or for tests. If you do, ask who is coordinating your treatment and how results will be shared with your NHS team.