
Will leukemia cause bruising and abnormal blood test results?
Disease description:
I recently had a checkup and was diagnosed with leukemia. I would like to know whether leukemia can cause bruising and if the complete blood count (CBC) would show abnormalities in such cases?

Bruising caused by leukemia is usually closely related to abnormalities in the complete blood count (CBC). Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the production of white blood cells. In patients with leukemia, the bone marrow cavity becomes infiltrated with a large number of leukemic cells, impairing the normal production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. As a result, the following abnormalities commonly appear in CBC tests:
1. Elevated white blood cell count: Leukemic cells themselves can stimulate the bone marrow, leading to an increased white blood cell count.
2. Reduced platelet count: The proliferation and accumulation of leukemic cells suppress normal blood cell formation, causing platelet levels to fall below the normal range. This is the main cause of bruising.
3. Decreased red blood cell count: Leukemia also reduces red blood cell production, making patients prone to anemia.
These symptoms and findings serve as important basis for the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia.