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Mast Cell Leukemia: Facts To Know

Leukemia Posted by Mia Garnsey

What Are the Symptoms of Mast Cell Leukemia?

Patients with mast cell leukemia may have the following symptoms:

  1. Fainting
  2. Fever
  3. Lethargy and weakness
  4. Flushing
  5. Diarrhea [3]
  6. Fast heart beat (tachycardia) [4]
  7. Nausea and vomiting [5]
  8. Itchy skin blisters
  9. Bone pain [6]
  10. Losing more than 10 percent of the body weight

How Is Mast Cell Leukemia Diagnosed?

Mast cell leukemia is common in adults. 50 percent of people with MCL are older than 52. But some cases as young as 5 years old have been recorded in medical literature.

To diagnose mast cell leukemia, you need the following:

  1. Meet the requirements for systemic mastocytosis.
  2. Have at least 20 percent atypical mast cells in the bone marrow or 10 percent in the blood.
  3. Show signs of organ damage.