Which symptom is not typical for myelogenous leukaemia?

• A. Gingival hypertrophy
• B. Spontaneous bleeding
• C. Increased lymphocytes
• D. Weakness and anorexia

Answer: (C)

In myelogenous leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the disease primarily affects the myeloid lineage of blood cells, which leads to a variety of symptoms. Among these, gingival hypertrophy, spontaneous bleeding, and weakness and anorexia are common features.

Gingival hypertrophy can occur due to the infiltration of leukemic cells into the gums or due to the effects of thrombocytopenia, which is a low platelet count that can lead to bleeding issues. Spontaneous bleeding is a hallmark of leukemia due to the disturbed balance of blood cell production and the consequent decrease in platelet levels, leading to impaired clotting mechanisms. Weakness and anorexia are also frequently reported symptoms, reflecting the overall impact of the disease on the body's systems and a result of both the disease process and anemia, which is common in patients with leukemia.

On the other hand, increased lymphocytes are not typical for myelogenous leukemia. Instead, this feature is more characteristic of lymphocytic leukemias such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In myelogenous leukemia, the increase is generally in myeloid cells, not lymphocytes. Therefore, while the other symptoms