Do leukemia patients experience coughing?

Nov 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Feng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, leukemia patients may experience coughing. Leukemia is a malignant tumor of the hematopoietic system. Leukemia cells proliferate and accumulate extensively in hematopoietic tissues such as the bone marrow, suppressing normal hematopoietic function. At the same time, leukemia cells can also infiltrate other tissues and organs. When leukemia cells infiltrate the lungs, they can cause an inflammatory response in the lungs, leading to coughing.

Generally, leukemia patients may experience coughing. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Leukemia is a malignant tumor of the hematopoietic system. Leukemia cells proliferate and accumulate extensively in hematopoietic tissues such as the bone marrow, suppressing normal hematopoietic function. Meanwhile, leukemia cells can infiltrate other tissues and organs. When leukemia cells infiltrate the lungs, they can cause an inflammatory response in the lungs, leading to coughing. This inflammation is similar to a lung infection and may present symptoms such as fever and expectoration, where the sputum may be white mucus-like or yellowish purulent.

Due to the suppression of normal white blood cell function, leukemia patients have weakened immune systems and are highly susceptible to various infections. Respiratory tract infections are very common; when pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade the respiratory tract, they can cause diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia, resulting in coughing. Moreover, coughs caused by infections may be severe and last for a prolonged period.

It is important to take preventive measures against infections in daily life, including maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding contact with sources of infection, getting adequate rest, and adjusting clothing according to weather changes, to reduce the risk of respiratory symptoms such as coughing.

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