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What Are The Symptoms Of Leukemia?

Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015

Question: Hi

I am so very worried I have cancer, in particular leukemia. I am a mess right now. Can you please help and tell me what the chances are that I have leukemia.

I went to the doctor last week because of a feeling of fullness under the lower part of my left ribs.

He ordered an ultrasound, Complete Blood Count, and chest and abdominal xrays.

The report came back. It says I have borderline splenomegaly (measuring 12.9 cm in length).

The blood work came back I also have low platelets - result- 122- range 145-400 x 10E 9/L

The blood work also shows I have low WBC- result - 3.7 - range 4.0 - 11.0 x 10E/9L

My RBC was 4.69 - range 4.20 - 5.70 x 10E12/L

My MPV was 11.1 - range 7.4 - 11.3 fl

I have done blood work in the past that have also said I had low platelets (132 - on XXXXXXX 14, 2014). My platelets have been low since 2012 - they were normal in 2011.

On my blood test in 2014, There is a test I haven't seen on my other blood tests - it says RBC's appear - and the answer is normocytic, normochromic

and another test states. PLT's appear - adequate.

My red cell count in 2014 was 4.98.

What does that mean?

What do you think of my results? Please I am so worried. Do you need any more information? I have HPV by the way.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Viral Infection is likely.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
See, none of your reports are suggestive of Leukemia. Your platelets and WBC counts are slightly low and if RBC count and Hemoglobin are normal, we will term is as Bicytopenia. Most commonly Bicytopenia associated with spleenomegaly is seen in infections like Viral Infections, Malaria. Most commonly we see this is Ebstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection. I would advice in such scenario, to wait for 2 weeks and get a Complete blood count repeated. If the bicytopenia is persisting, you would require to get a Bone Marrow examination.
However, since your blood picture doesn't suggests any blast cells or atypical cells, Leukemia is very unlikely.
So, stop getting panicky. And get the tests repeated after 2 weeks and write back to me with the reports. Re-open this discussion so that i can get back your history again.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (7 minutes later)

Thank you very much Dr. Varshney,

I am concerned because my platelets have been slightly low for the past year years - 122 being the lowest.
I have HPV (Genital warts) - do you think that has anything do with this.
You mention leukemia is very unlikely - if I had leukemia would it effect the red blood cells as well? Because on the two blood smears I had done it says red blood cells normocytic, normochromic.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HPV is very unlikely to cause it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, HPV is a chronic infection, that is very very unlikely to cause Bicytopenia. RBC Count is not important for this evaluation. We need to see Hemoglobin levels. If hemoglobin levels are also low, we term it as Pancytopenia. I would advice you to simply get a repeat blood count done after 2 weeks. If it is still low, then you would need to go for bone marrow examination.
Stay healthy

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar