This is the third time Im posting this. Let me explain more deeply. I am doing a project on cancer for school, I have chosen to do leukemia. After researching leukemia, I noticed that I couldent find any information as to if it is possible to have bruising (Or petachea(spelling?)) as a side effect of leukemia, BUT not have excessive bleeding. In other words: Must one have both bruising as a symptom and excessive bleeding, or can you just have bruising (or petechae) with normal clotting response to cuts and wounds? Since low platlet levels cause the bruising, wouldent it take longer for ones wounds to heal (as leukemia can cause)? Thank you.
Answer:
You actually have a few different things going on here. The ability to stop bleeding (or form a clot) is the end result of three different systems in the body--the 2 clotting cascades (the coagulation pathway) and the platelets. Depending on what is getting effected with the leukemia; the amount and reason of the bleeding can vary; so it would be possible to have bruises and petecchiae without frank bleeding (although bleeding gums and nose bleeds may occur as well as oozing in the GI tract). Wound healing (actual filling in with tissue) is another set of body systems working together that are impaired due to a poor repair system/nutrition that leukemia induces. Platelets don't impact wound healing directly--they just form the plug that stops the bleeding. You have a big project because leukemia is a very complex set of cancers (there are multiple forms). Good luck
Bruising and petechea are both different types of bleeding under the skin. You know what a bruise looks like. Petechea normally looks like pin prick red spots just under the skin. I have both, but from a different disease.
Good luck on your project!
Here's where you'll find the best info and links for your research.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls...
Best wishes
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