Potential pitfall:
Fatigue is a common presenting problem in primary care, and yet it is important to remember that fatigue can represent a more serious condition. Many patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have few or no symptoms at the time they are diagnosed. Therefore, CML can be an incidental finding following a blood test as part of a routine check-up for fatigue, malaise or another condition.
Helpful hint:
NICE NG12 guidelines recommend GPs to consider a very urgent full blood count (within 48 hours) to assess for leukaemia in adults with any of the following: pallor, persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, unexplained persistent or recurrent infection, generalised lymphadenopathy, unexplained bruising, unexplained bleeding, unexplained petechiae and hepatosplenomegaly.
Please note: if the disease has progressed symptoms become more likely.
Cancer Keys are brought to you by GatewayC.
Download this Cancer Key here
Read the NICE NG12 guidance here
Access GatewayC’s Chronic Leukaemia – Early Diagnosis course here
