Causes of Leukemia

• According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, factors such as genetic recombinations, exposure to radiation and chemicals such as benzene, and microorganisms such as viruses (human T-lymphotropic virus) among others play a major role in the development of leukemia. These agents generally result in mutations or changes in DNA, causing abnormal functioning of blood cells.
  
  

Easy Bruising

• Two of the most common symptoms associated with blood cancer are easy bruising and uncontrolled bleeding. In blood cancer, normal blood cells are replaced by abnormal, immature white blood cells. As a result, blood platelets are displaced. Blood platelets play a significant role in the blood clotting process, so the reduction in their number results in easy bruising and uncontrollable bleeding.
  
  

Anemia and Tiredness

• Anemia also is one of the most common symptoms associated with blood cancer. Red blood cells supply oxygen to the body through the blood. Leukemia lowers the numbers of these cells, which leads to anemia. Because of this condition, patients often complain of tiredness and weakness even while sitting idle.
  
  

Frequent Infections

• White blood cells help to fight infections. In leukemia, functional white blood cells are reduced in number, so patients often experience frequent and repeated infections caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
  
  

Other Common Symptoms

• Various other common symptoms of leukemia as well as multiple myeloma and lymphoma include loss of appetite, uncontrolled weight loss, excessive sweating that is worse at night, high fever and bone and joint pain.