A rapid overproduction of abnormal white blood cells leads to a condition called leukemia. White blood cells are critical for the proper functioning of the immune system as they prevent disease-causing bacteria and viruses from attacking it and protect it from other foreign substances.

Common symptoms of leukemia
While there are different symptoms for different types of leukemia, the following ones are common:

• Being easily bruised or bleeding easily
• Unexplained weakness or fatigue
• Fever accompanied by chills
• Severe recurrent infections
• Bone pain with swelling or tenderness
• Headaches or seizures
• Excessive sweating and night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite accompanied by nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes in organs like the neck, underarms or groin
• Abdominal issues
• Itchy skin and rashes

Different types of leukemia and other symptoms of the condition
The symptoms of different types of leukemia include the following:

Acute lymphocytic leukemia
This condition develops due to the accumulation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. The disease progresses rapidly and outnumbers healthy blood cells, and then travels to other organs and tissues via the bloodstream, and continues to grow. The symptoms are:

• Bleeding gums and excessive nose bleeds
• Easily bruised pale skin  
• Recurrent infections
• Fever, weight loss, and fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Acute myeloid leukemia
This fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow onsets when myeloid cells interfere with the normal production of healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The bone marrow is unable to make healthy cells that keep infections at bay, and the malignant cells quickly overtake the healthy cells and platelets. Here are the symptoms of the same:

• Anemia
• Shortness of breath and excessive bleeding or bruising
• Severe pain in the joints and bones
• Frequent infections and fever

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
One of the most chronic conditions among the different types of leukemia that grows and shows symptoms very slowly is CLL. It starts in the lymphocytes of the bone marrow and enters the blood. Over time, it can spread to lymph nodes, the liver, and spleen. The tumor makes it difficult for your body to fight infections. The underlying symptoms are:

• Leukopenia, which decreases the function of lymphocytes and the immune system
• Thrombocytopenia that causes blood clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding of the gums and nose
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Anemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia
It starts in the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow and eventually spreads to the blood and other areas of the body. These are the symptoms:

• Night sweats
• Pale skin
• Fever and loss of appetite
• Easy bleeding

Hairy cell leukemia
It’s a rare type of blood cancer caused by the bone marrow producing excessive amounts of B cells that significantly reduce the presence of healthy white blood cells. This condition progresses very slowly and, it’s’ symptoms are:

• Pain and the sensation of fullness below the ribs
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Shortness of breath and fatigue
• Excessive bruising or bleeding
• Lumps in the neck, underarms, the groin, and other body parts
• Recurring infections