Eight leukaemia warning signs revealed after death of Italy’s scandal-hit ex-PM Silvio

Italy‘s controversial ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has died aged 86, it was announced today.

The billionaire — famed for his notorious ‘Bunga Bunga’ sex parties — had suffered from leukaemia ‘for some time’ and recently developed a lung infection.

Berlusconi was admitted to San Raffaele hospital in Milan on Friday for what aides said were pre-planned tests related to his leukaemia.

Leukaemia can be hard to spot because the tell-tale symptoms can often indicate other unrelated illnesses, experts say. Here, MailOnline reveals some of the most common signs. 

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded 

Constantly feeling tired and dizzy is one tell-tale sign of leukaemia, according to Blood Cancer UK.  

The disease, which affects the blood cells, can trigger anaemia by stopping your body making healthy red blood cells.

This can make you feel tired and unwell, which can easily be confused with the flu, according to cancer charity Macmillan. 

At the same time, it might make you look pale or washed out and even feel dizzy or lightheaded, experts say. 

Just like with most symptoms of cancer, however, numerous other conditions could be to blame for the same warning signs. 

Keep getting infections 

Frequently getting coughs and colds that last a long time or are difficult to shake off can be another sign to visit your GP. 

Although it might be harmless, it could also be a sign of leukaemia.

This is because, just like it can affect how red blood cells are made, it can stop your body from making white blood cells normally.

White blood cells usually fight off infections and diseases.

Therefore, having less of them can make you feel run down. 

Low white blood cells can also lead to mouth sores and a sore throat, according to the NHS.

Bruising easily

Bruising without any obvious cause is another potential symptom of the disease.

It might also leave people more fragile than normal, with them bruising at slighter touches than before.

Unusual bleeding, blood spots or rashes on the skin is the result of a low number of platelets, says Macmillan.  

Platelets help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. As a result, low numbers of them can cause unusual bruising. 

Platelets are made in our bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue inside our bones. 

Bleeding gums

Just like bruising, low numbers of platelets can also lead to unusual bleeding. 

Bleeding gums, for example when you are cleaning your teeth, can be a warning sign of the disease, Cancer Research UK says. 

Other unusual, or frequent bleeding, such as nosebleeds or heavy periods can also be an alarm bell. 

Fever

Having a high temperature can be another early warning sign of the cancer.

This can be because of a knock-on infections it may consequentially lead to due to the lack of white blood cells. 

However, Blood Cancer UK says night sweats are another potential symptom.

Macmillan describes it as being ‘enough to soak through bedclothes and bedding’.

It occurs as a result of the body’s internal war against the cancer.  

Swollen lymph nodes

Swollen glands in your neck, armpit or groin can be a warning sign of many illnesses.

This can include leukaemia.

These glands, known as lymph glands or lymph nodes, may be sore when your touch them, the NHS says. 

Lymph nodes play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections. 

They usually swell up as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. 

Although swollen lymph nodes are rarely caused by cancer, if you notice they are swollen and you do not have an infection, you should make a visit to your GP. 

Aching joints

Leukaemia can cause a dull or stabbing pain in your joints and bones.

This pain can be worse at different times of the day, says Cancer Research UK.

It can be felt in the long bones of the arms and legs and in the ribs. 

It’s often caused by too many abnormal white blood cells collecting in the bones, joints or lymph nodes leading to pain and swelling, experts say. 

Some people may also have pain below the ribs on their left side, this can be caused by your your liver or spleen swelling. 

Headaches

Frequent headaches and visual disturbances can be associated with brain tumours.

But they are also a symptom of leukaemia.

This is because a very high white blood cell count, can clog the smallest blood vessels in the brain.

This can cause headaches in some people, Cancer Research UK says.

Too many white blood cells can also cause eye problems, but this symptom is less common, experts say.