Leukemia: Remain Vigilant
- Fortunately, leukemia is relatively rare, and hopefully your patient will not have it, but…
- Our vigilance today makes a difference tomorrow.
- Fever and Abdominal Pain should make us think of more than Appendicitis or AGE.
- Limb pain requires more thought than just Septic Arthritis vs Growing Pain.
- Not all lymph nodes are “shotty.”
- Prolonged fever may be due to a virus, and contemplation of Incomplete Kawasaki Disease or Occult Pneumoniascores you bonus points, but let’s not overlook other ominous causes.
- Vigilance does not cost a lot of money.
- Perform a thoughtful history – “Did I ask about unexplained bleeding from the gums?”
- Be actively looking for clues during your exam – and specifically document the presence of lack of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and/or pallor.
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