However, this type of leukemia is rare. Leukemia cutis appears in 1015% of AML cases. It's often found on the arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks, though you might also find it on the inside of the mouth or the eyelids. Streaming Netflix may be just what you need on the days when youre feeling super anxious. A lymphoma rash, such as. Petechiae usually occur where blood is most likely to accumulate, such as in your: The spots are caused by tiny broken blood vessels, called capillaries, under the skin. Once the cancer is in remission, you usually get more cycles of chemo spread out over 4-8 months. If you have leukemia and your damaged white blood cells outnumber healthy ones, you may develop skin symptoms, like rashes, bruising, and mouth sores. Doctors classify leukemia based on its speed of progression and the type of cells involved. In addition to the rash, symptoms may include fever or chills. The rash can occur anywhere, including the legs, arms, trunk, face, and neck. If effective, this systemic treatment will improve underlying leukemia and its impact on the skin. Other skin infections and skin problems with leukemia, Other skin infections and problems associated with leukemia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7292447/, cdc.gov/fungal/infections/cancer-patients.html, dermnetnz.org/topics/morbilliform-drug-reaction, mdanderson.org/cancerwise/skin-rashes-and-leukemia--what-you-need-to-know.h00-159462423.html, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519272/, seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.html, seer.cancer.gov/explorer/application.html, cancer.org/cancer/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html, cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-in-children/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html, cancer.org/cancer/chronic-myeloid-leukemia/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Survival rates are averages, not your destiny. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or a bone marrow transplant are some options. The 5-year relative survival rate for leukemia is about 60%. When you're low on healthy white blood cells, you can't fight infections as well. There are many signs and symptoms of leukemia. Although leukemia can leave dark-colored rashes or bruises on your body, it can also affect your skin color in other ways. Symptoms may go away without treatment, but if you have a diagnosis of leukemia, it is best to ask your doctors advice as you may need treatment. About 3 of 4 kids with leukemia have ALL; the rest usually have AML. SEER stat fact sheets: Leukemia recent trends. Whether a person experiences other symptoms can depend on the type of leukemia they have and the speed of its growth. DNA is your body's recipe book, and a small tweak can have big impacts. The . The symptoms tend to be vague. And kinase inhibitors keep CLL cells from growing and dividing. Both leukemia and the treatments for it can lower your healthy blood cell count. Other reasons your skin may itch. Strictly speaking, leukemia should refer only to cancer of the white blood cells (the leukocytes) but in practice it can apply to malignancy of any cellular element in the blood or bone marrow, as in red cell leukemia (erythroleukemia). MyLeukemiaTeam Members Share Stories. Chemotherapy rash: Chemotherapy for leukemia can cause skin rash anywhere on the body. This is a commonallergic reactionto medication that results in a skin rash that resemblesmeasles. On lighter skin, they typically look red or purple. This content does not have an English version. Other possible treatment options for symptomatic leukemia and associated skin lesions include: While leukemia cutis is rare and is not fatal on its own, it often indicates an advanced stage of leukemia. This is something people with ALL are concerned about. You might lose weight for no clear reason, and your joints and bones might hurt. (2021). Unlike other cancers, stages of leukemia don't describe how far the cancer has spread. Patch phase: Thin, reddened, eczema -like rash. A test called a blood smear can show how many blasts you have and what they look like. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly. Some other symptoms include fever, a stiff neck, vomiting, and headaches. Heres what theyve learned about caring for their kids. You may overlook early leukemia symptoms because they may resemble symptoms of the flu and other common illnesses. What are the symptoms? Frequent infections. (2021). Without enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body, anemia can cause symptoms such as: What is AML rash? If you have a weakened immune system, you may have a higher risk of contracting it. Most start in white blood cells, but how they unfold and the treatment you need can be very different. Symptoms may affect your face, trunk (torso), and extremities and include: A bruise develops when blood vessels under your skin are damaged. What's Causing Pinprick Red Dots on Your Skin? Sweet syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) is a skin condition that sometimes occurs due to an immune system response to RA, pregnancy, certain cancers, inflammatory bowel diseases, blood disorders, respiratory tract infections, and particular medications. At first, it may just seem like the flu. MyLeukemiaTeam is the social network for people who have been diagnosed with leukemia and their loved ones. We avoid using tertiary references. It happens when cancerous cells enter the skin and cause lesions. Chemotherapy is a type of medicine or combination of medications that is used to treat or kill cancer cells. These tumors may develop ulcers and the skin may get infected. Other drugs might cause a condition called morbilliform drug eruption, which presents as a rash that resembles the measles. Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Beyond amyloid and tau: New targets in developing dementia treatments, Napping longer than 30 minutes linked to higher risk of obesity and high blood pressure, eczema-like areas of thickened, inflamed skin, red or purple patches that result from bleeding under the skin, a blood smear, in which a medical professional examines a blood sample under a microscope, a skin biopsy, which involves taking a tissue sample from one of the lesions, stem cell transplant, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, rituximab, a type of targeted therapy that doctors may recommend in combination with immunotherapy or chemotherapy. Petechiae are tiny, painless spots that are created by broken blood vessels in the skin. Mayo Clinic. Its best to tell your doctor as soon as you notice any changes so they can help you manage them. Pale skin. Indian J Dermatol. They can appear as tiny bumps or larger lesions that spread. Until you treat the leukemia, your blood cells will not function normally, so your symptoms may persist. When living with leukemia, it can be difficult to find people who understand what youre going through. Terms of Use. A rash may appear 1 to 2 weeks after starting a drug, but it can occur up to a week after finishing the medication. University of Michigan Health. Most rashes on the body arent due to cancer. Leukemia cutis occurs when leukemia cells affect the skin, forming clusters within the layers of tissue. 1996-2023 Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Doctors treat leukemia cutis by addressing the systemic leukemia that is causing it. Many people with leukemia who develop anemia also notice pale skin. It can be risky because your body may reject the new cells, so it's mainly used when other treatments haven't worked. The time frame varies from patient to patient. Treatment options may include. Leukemia cutis typically looks like bumpy growths that appear red-brown or purple. It may appear before, alongside, or after other leukemia symptoms, but experts say it is rare. On fair and light skin tones, these may appear as red dots. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that develops in your bone marrow the place where blood cells are made. They leave healthy cells alone and attack only cancer cells, whichwork differently. Theyre usually purple, red, or brown in color and are about the size of a pinpoint. In addition to petechiae (red dots on the skin), this can appear as purpura (larger red or purple areas), or ecchymoses (bruises), she says. Leukemia results when the genetic material (DNA) of a single cell in the bone marrow transforms, this is called a mutation. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/adult-aml-treatment-pdq, https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/cll-treatment-pdq, https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/latest-from-leukaemia-care/blog/leukaemia-cutis/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541136/, https://www.lls.org/treatment/types-treatment, Gut microbiome appears to fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons, One-hour endoscopic procedure could eliminate the need for insulin for type 2 diabetes, New clues to slow aging? All rights reserved. Common skin symptoms with leukemia include: One symptom that some people with leukemia might notice is tiny red spots on their skin. 2012;57(6):504. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.103086, Kazmi SM, Pemmaraju N, Patel KP, et al. Stages of polycythemia vera progression If it is getting bigger, its time to see a doctor. In leukemia, the mutations tell the blood cells to continue growing and dividing. While this type of cancer doesn't start in your central nervous system, at least half the time it ends up spreading there. (2020). Treatment for your rash will depend on the type of skin condition you have and what's causing it. However, congenital leukemia is extremely rare, accounting for only 1% of childhood leukemias. Patients with leukemia have an over-production of a particular blood cell type in the body, the white blood cells (cells that fight infection, and provide immunity). (2022). It is a rare symptom of leukemia, occurring in only 3% of people with the disease. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. However, in 5577% of cases, leukemia cutis develops after a leukemia diagnosis. You may need a doctors help to determine which one you are experiencing and to determine the best treatment. People with blood cancer are living longer than ever, and it may be curable. When this happens, skin symptoms can occur. 1) Science Photo Library - STEVE GSCHMEISSNER. These faulty cells crowd out the healthy ones and make it hard for them to function properly. Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention, What Is Hairy Cell Leukemia? WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. There are a number of symptoms of leukemia, one of which is skin changes that look like rashes. Doctors refer to leukemia cutis that occurs before a diagnosis as aleukemic cutis. People with aleukemic cutis go on to develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Skin ulceration can occur in some cases. They can also appear plaque-like, almost as if something is growing on your skin. Leukemia bruises look like any other kind of bruise, but there tend to be more of them than usual. Poor clotting can occur as the result of thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count). People with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of developing this type of rash. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects many parts of the body, including the skin. With leukemia, the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells. Folliculitis is a skin infection that develops in hair follicles. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on You still get regular checkups and routine tests to keep a close eye on things. Normally, platelets, the disc-shaped cells in the blood, help your blood clot. That's when you might need stem cells from a donor to restore your supply. cancer health center/cancer a-z list/where does leukemia rash appear article. Is accompanied by other excessive bleeding Because bruising is just bleeding that occurs under the skin, look for excessive bleeding elsewhere (think nosebleeds or heavy periods). Most cases are very slow-growing and can be managed with the right New therapies have significantly improved cure rates in people with leukemia, but survivors can face treatment-related medical problems. Although petechiae have several causes, in people diagnosed with leukemia, they develop when damaged blood cells. Abdominal swelling. They may be discovered by chance after a routine blood test. Symptoms and Causes | Treatment | Support. Many of these are caused by a lack of healthy blood cells. Lymph nodes are pea-sized glands in these and other areas of your body. Skin rashes and leukemia: What you need to know. Leukemia cutis is a rare form of leukemia that causes skin lesions. Leukemia cutis is a rare complication of leukemia. nausea and vomiting. Injuries often bleed more than normal, and the bleeding may be unusually hard to stop. Learn about types, causes, and treatment, Cancer: Symptoms of Common Cancers in Men. It causes your body to make a large number of abnormal white blood cells. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of rashes and bruising in leukemia, as well as how the two may be managed. If you have anemia and you have a darker skin tone, you may notice that the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, or eyes look blueish or gray. Symptoms include: itchiness. Some people diagnosed with leukemia will develop, Petechiae are caused by bleeding under the skin. Blood cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer and other factors. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Keep your skin, fingernails, and toenails clean and dry. Treatment options may include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, Because the bodys immune system is compromised, someone with leukemia may develop a rare skin condition called Sweets syndrome. In addition to skin rashes, leukemia can cause other issues that affect the skin. Leukemia that affects the skin might also resemble dry skin or eczema (atopic dermatitis), blisters, ulcerated patches, thickened skin, or other conditions. People with leukemia are prone to a range of skin-related problems, from rashes and bruising to infections and bleeding into the skin. Typically, the rash consists of red or bluish lesions or tender bumps. You might get tests to find out about the DNA of the cancer cells. These changes may happen because of low levels of white blood cells or anemia. Seems to be excessive. We avoid using tertiary references. However, in some cases, people develop these lesions before they receive a leukemia diagnosis. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The nodules usually feel firm or rubbery. Dyall-Smith D, et al. They are making a difference in spreading education and compassion. MedTerms medical dictionary is the medical terminology for MedicineNet.com. Click here for an email preview. While any form of leukemia can cause skin symptoms, the subtypes most associated with it are: Of these, the type most likely to cause leukemia cutis is adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Chemotherapy is often used with other treatments. And many people with leukemia have none of these risk factors. But in some people, PV does progress to other more aggressive blood disorders, including, but rarely, acute leukemia. It appears as purple spots, petechiae (tiny purple, brown, or red spots), or purple, netlike lesions that develop on the skin. The symptoms tend to be vague. Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis. "What Are the Key Statistics for Childhood Leukemia? They develop when capillaries (the smallest blood vessels) bleed small amounts of blood under the skin. Depending on the cause, symptoms can include: Vasculitis is an inflammation of small blood vessels and capillaries. Doctors may recommend chemotherapy for acute or rapidly progressing forms of leukemia, such as AML. You'll start treatment if your white blood cell levels jump, your platelets drop, or you get symptoms like swollen lymph nodes. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of That one cell divides into two that have the same mistake, which divide again, and soon you have a lot of broken cells that don't follow the rules. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. A person may often relate these symptoms to their leukemia once a doctor diagnoses them. It begins on skin that gets little sun, such as the upper thigh, buttocks, back, belly, groin, chest, or breasts. Causes. Risk factors Factors that can increase the risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma include: Your age. information submitted for this request. Warner KJ. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children. The most common skin condition is bleeding into the skin., In other cases, some have no skin conditions, Dr. Forrestel says. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Learn about types, causes, and treatment. The lymphatic system includes the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymph channels, as well as the tonsils and adenoids. There are several types of rashes that impact people with this form of cancer. Baigrie D, et al. Treatment options may include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide,hydrocortisone,doxycycline, andantihistamines. It can take 2-3 years, but almost all kids -- about 9 out of 10 -- get fully cured. Both tests can also check how well your treatment is working. Leukemia affects the bodys production of platelets, which normally form blood clots to stop bleeding. These medications are commonly used for chronic leukemia. A doctor who thinks a person has leukemia cutis will look at the lesions and ask about the persons symptoms. That's what leads to symptoms. Additionally, they may show up on unusual areas of your body, such as your back. Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is the most common acute type in adults. Accessed Oct. 16, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Petechiae look like small, flat, reddish dots on the skin. Many things can cause Sweet's syndrome. Treatment for leukemia can be complex depending on the type of leukemia and other factors. Learn about the differences. Review/update the Leukemia is divided into different types, depending on the blood cells it affects and how fast it progresses. There are three main types of blood cells: red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and take carbon dioxide to the lungs. If you have leukemia or another condition that affects the immune system, you may have a higher risk of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. All rights reserved. Patch phase: At this stage, the rash is thin and red and can be mistaken for eczema. Just because your skin itches doesn't mean that you have cancer. Multiple myeloma can also affect your bones, leading to bone pain, thinning bones and broken bones. Because leukemia inhibits the development of mature white blood cells, which fight infection, the body is much more susceptible to skin infections. Ringworm: signs and symptoms. Did you know there are different types? A chemotherapy rash resembles acne and can show up on the face, scalp, neck, chest, and back, resulting in tenderness, irritation, burning, and stinging. 6th ed. A person with Sweets syndrome will quickly develop a high fever and a rash. If you have anemia and you have a darker skin tone, you may notice that the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, or. In 2018, around 459,058 people were living with leukemia in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In Sweets syndrome, a patient can develop pink bumps or plaques, that can look like, due to inflammatory cells (neutrophils) entering the skin, Forrestel says. The appearance of the lesions varies significantly from person to person. You're also more likely to get it if you have certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome and Fanconi anemia. If you press on them, petechiae and purpura don't fade. Ordinary Bruising Leukaemia Care UK, Leukocytosis vs. Leukemia: Understanding High White Blood Cell Counts, 7 Causes of Leukemia Fatigue and 4 Ways To Manage It, What Were Your First Signs of Leukemia? There are several types of leukemia, which are categorized by the blood cells they affect and how quickly they grow. It seems to develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If you have developed Sweets syndrome, your doctor may put you on a course of oral, If you are on chemotherapy and you develop a rash, let your doctor know. As . This is the standard treatment for acute leukemia. People with leukemia who have fair skin tones may look pale because of anemia. Cancer patients and fungal infections. To choose the best treatment, you need to learn as much as possible about the cancer. In fact, some researchers say newly appearing mouth ulcers and swollen gums may be an early sign of AML. They may be tiny and distinct, or you may seem to have one larger mound under your skin. Your healthcare provider might also prescribe a steroid to reduce swelling or a medication to suppress your immune system. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is one of the few cancers with a direct link to a known defect in your DNA. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. / Getty Images, 7) Top, bottom: Auscape / UIG / Getty Images, GI15879022 / Thinkstock, 8) Clockwise from top left: Michael Abbey / Science Source, Biology Pics / Science Source, Carolina Biological / Medical Images, Jean Secchi / Dominique Lecaque / Roussel-Uclaf / CNRI / Science Source, 9) DOROTHEA ZUCKER-FRANKLIN / Medical Images, National Cancer Institute: "Leukemia -- Patient Version. Pain or fullness in your stomach, which . Theres nothing separately we do to treat the lesions.. Majmundar VD, et al. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Types of Leukemia Rashes If leukemia or your treatment has weakened your immune system, its best to seek medical advice as soon as any concerns arise. If you suddenly have many bruises and didnt take a major fall, its time to check it out. Rash in leukemia may be related or unrelated to cancer. If you start taking the drug again, the rash may come back after 1 to 2 days. However, Have you experienced rashes or bruising with leukemia? For burns and sores related to leukemia cutis, a person may use steroid creams, topical lidocaine, or menthol lotions. Higher doses of chemotherapy can kill more cancer cells, but they'll wipe out healthy cells, too. It shows up at about the same rate today as it did in the 1950s, but new treatments mean you can live with it longer than everand sometimes be cured. Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults. It can result from an infection or from cancer itself. Myeloma cells inhibit your body's ability to fight infections. People with leukemia who have fair skin tones may look pale because of anemia. Ringworm, also called tinea, is a fungal infection that people with leukemia may be more prone to developing. The rate of new diagnoses for leukemia in 2018 was 14.7 per 100,000 people. Learn about the common types and stages of leukemia, who gets it, symptoms, tests, treatments, and more. If you have leukemia, you may be more likely to experience folliculitis because your body doesnt make enough mature white blood cells to effectively fight infections. Once the infection has been diagnosed, healthcare providers prescribe the appropriate antibacterial or antifungal therapy, which may include cream or oral medication, according to Forrestel. On darker skin, they can be harder to see. Often, it can pretty much tell you if you have leukemia. Several treatments are used for vasculitis, including medicines to suppress the immune system and steroids to reduce inflammation. Some rashes are itchy and painful, while others don't cause any discomfort. Sometimes, this rash also involves joint pain and can bring on symptoms of arthritis. Folliculitis lesions can appear just about anywhere on the skin. It's likely that your pruritus is caused by something more common such as: allergic reaction . Frequent and easy bruising is one common symptom of leukemia. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. neutropenia, a shortage of white blood cells, which can . In most cases, complications dont arise, and the rash goes away after stopping the drug. Have you experienced rashes or bruising with leukemia? Lesions may appear as small or large lumps, thickened, flat patches, or discolored dry skin. ", OncoLink: "All About Leukemia," "All About Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)," "All About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)," "All About Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Its usually caused by bacteria, but it can be fungal or viral. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. On darker skin tones, they may be darker than the surrounding skin and less noticeable. They will also perform diagnostic tests, which will typically include: Doctors may also order tests to determine how well the kidneys and liver are functioning and how well the blood is clotting, to obtain a complete metabolic profile, and to check for other biomarkers for cancer. But with CLL, it's common to hold off until you have symptoms. "How Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosed?" Plaque phase: In this phase, a rash appears as papules (small raised bumps) or hardened lesions. Often, a routine blood test happens to uncover them. The symptoms are most common on the head, trunk, or neck, but can appear anywhere on the body. Ringworm risk & prevention. Leukemia vs. Lymphoma: Whats the Difference? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that these types of infections can affect people with leukemia in different ways and for different reasons, depending on the type of leukemia and treatment options. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. Skin rashes are notoriously hard to define, as they can involve so many different features: itchiness, redness, bumpiness, roughness, scaliness, swelling, and irritation, to name but a few. Characteristics of Sweets syndrome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. A feeling of fullness or pain below the ribs on the left side Swollen lumps in the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach Stomach or bone pain Shortness of breath Different types of rashes can also present as a sign of leukemia or develop as a side effect of cancer treatment. Leukemiais atype of blood cancerthat affects the blood cells and bone marrow, a tissue inside bones where blood cells and platelets are made. For each dose, some of your white blood cells are removed and sent to a lab, where they get a new gene added that tells them to target and kill specific leukemia cells. The Best and Worst Diets for Heart Health, Type 2 Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Leads to 16 Percent Weight Loss in New Trial for Treatment of Overweight or Obesity. It is essential to follow your doctors instructions about how to prevent them and what to do if they happen. In some instances, rashes that are related to leukemia can be itchy. Instead, your healthcare provider might use therapies to target your cancer, which may also help clear your skin. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Folliculitis may occur as a result of a bacterial or fungal infection. 2. It can appear on the skin as red or purple spots but can also cause lumps or open sores to develop. Take the Leukemia Quiz and test your knowledge and get the facts. Keep in mind that a lot goes into your personal outlook, including the type of leukemia you have, how advanced it is, and your overall health. Having fewer red blood cells can give you anemia, making you pale, tired, and short of breath. 2019;80(6):1762-1764. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.066. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? On top of the demands of cancer treatment, this may affect someones mental health. "How Is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosed?" Treating your leukemia should resolve your Sweets syndrome. Leukemia cutis is most common in people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML or acute myelogenous leukemia). As the name suggests, this involves frequently testing and monitoring a persons leukemia but holding off on using any systemic treatments until the cancer has progressed. Acute cancers come on within weeks as young white blood cells flood your bone marrow. Because the bodys immune system is compromised, someone with leukemia may develop a rare skin condition called Sweets syndrome. Underlying cancer and leukemia seem to trigger it in some people, although doctors and researchers are not sure why. Mayo Clinic. If you have ringworm, it usually appears as a circular, patchy rash thats itchy. Scientists don't understand the exact causes of leukemia. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in immune cells called lymphocytes. Let your oncologist or health care team know if you develop any new symptoms like rashes or bruising. If AML spreads to the skin, it can cause small, dark spots that look like common rashes. People with leukemia may develop rashes or bruises with no apparent cause, but these rashes may occur for several reasons and have many different appearances. But the skin is sometimes affected by leukemia. Skin may become pink to red on any skin tone. They are linked to low platelet counts in the blood. Grows in size Once you have a bruise, it should only get smaller, not larger. It's unlikely that your skin rash is related to leukemia, but in rare cases, it can be a sign.