Acute Leukemia Progresses Rapidly: Doctors Warn to Watch for Persistent Fever and Fatigue

(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Jieling, Taipei, June 8) Actor Fu Zichun died after being rushed to the hospital due to sudden symptoms caused by acute leukemia. Doctors remind that the early symptoms of acute leukemia are easily confused with a cold. Persistent fever, fatigue, or unresolved infections are key indicators; seeking early medical examination and diagnosis is crucial for improving treatment effectiveness and survival rates.

Dr. Zhang Jialun, Deputy Executive Director of the Taiwan Cancer Foundation and Director of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Wanfang Hospital, stated in a media interview on the afternoon of June 8 that acute leukemia is called "acute" precisely because the disease progresses extremely rapidly. He mentioned a case where a patient sought medical attention for fever and cough, initially thought to be a common cold, but tests revealed abnormally high blood cell counts. Further bone marrow examination confirmed a diagnosis of leukemia.

Dr. Zhang said that for this patient, the time from symptom onset to diagnosis was less than a week. The biggest challenges in treating acute leukemia are "rapid diagnosis" and "controlling acute symptoms." Rapid diagnosis depends on whether the hospital has a specialized hematology-oncology team and can promptly arrange bone marrow examinations and related genetic testing. In recent years, treatment methods have made significant progress, such as using oral targeted drugs to control the disease.

Dr. Zhang stated that the most common dangers during the acute phase of leukemia are infections and blood clots. The patient's white blood cell count may be abnormally high, but these are actually cancer cells that have lost normal function and cannot effectively fight pathogens. Patients are prone to recurrent fever and infections, which can further develop into sepsis. Secondly, leukemia cells may aggregate in the blood, increasing the risk of vascular blockage, potentially leading to stroke or thrombotic symptoms.

Adult leukemia patients in Taiwan are more common in the 40 to 50 age group, but young patients in their 20s and 30s are also not uncommon. Dr. Zhang reminds that if cold or infection symptoms do not improve for several days, fever recurs after medication, or fatigue and weakness become increasingly apparent, one should go to the hospital for further examination. Although it may not be leukemia, it could be a warning sign of other serious diseases and should not be ignored.

Dr. Zhang said that most leukemia patients do not have a clear family history. The medical community believes it is related to factors such as viral infections, chronic inflammation, exposure to specific chemicals, and radiation exposure. These factors can damage blood cell DNA, and when genetic mutations accumulate over time, they can increase the risk of cancer. He suggests maintaining a regular routine, such as developing exercise habits, to help prevent cancer.

Dr. Lin Meixiu, a physician at an open health management institution, pointed out that the blood system is closely related to the entire human body. Unlike symptoms like stomach pain or chest pain, which can be more clearly linked to a specific organ, blood-related diseases are often harder to detect in the early stages. Taking some blood diseases as examples, early manifestations may include persistent fatigue, pale complexion, decreased stamina, recurrent infections, easy bleeding or bruising, and swollen lymph nodes.

Dr. Lin reminded that while fatigue does not necessarily point to a serious illness, it is actually a manifestation of a "sub-health" state, indicating that some functions of the body are deviating from a healthy state, gradually moving towards disease. Therefore, in addition to reviewing lifestyle, stress, and sleep, it is also recommended to undergo health checks to examine physical data and gain a better understanding of the body's actual condition. (Editor: Guan Zhongwei) 1150608