10th July 2020
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.
Access GatewayC’s ‘Chronic Leukaemia – Early Diagnosis’ course
