Blood Cancers That Mimic Growing Pains

While growing pains are common during childhood, there are blood cancers that mimic growing pains. These cancers include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and their early symptoms in children and teenagers may be attributed to growing pains. As a result, this misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis can have a devastating impact. This is because early detection is so critical in improving possible outcomes for patients.

If you or a loved one have received a misdiagnosis for a blood cancer, Jefferies Claims may be able to help you. Our team works with experienced lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.

Understanding Growing Pains

Many children experience growing pains when going through growth spurts. These typically occur in the thighs, calves or behind the knees. Your child may complain about a throbbing or aching sensation. This may often happen in the late afternoon or evening, or when a child wakes up.

However, it is important to note that growing pains are generally harmless. Additionally, simple treatments such as stretching or massage will help to relieve any pain

Symptoms of Blood Cancers That Mimic Growing Pains

However, there are blood cancers, particularly leukaemia, which produce symptoms that may mimic growing pains. These include:

• Bone and Joint Pain: Leukaemia cells can accumulate in the bone marrow, causing discomfort. This may be mistaken for musculoskeletal pain related to growth.
• Pain At Night: Like growing pains, leukaemia related pain may be more noticeable at night, leading to sleep disturbances.
• Fatigue and Weakness: While growing pains generally cause discomfort in the legs, leukaemia often causes persistent fatigue due to anaemia and overall impact on the body.
• Paleness and Easy Bruising: Children with leukaemia may look pale due to reduced red blood cell production. Also they may bruise easily due to low platelet counts.
• Unexplained Fevers and Frequent Infections: Because leukaemia affects white blood cell function, children with leukaemia may often experience recurrent infections or fevers that may not have an obvious cause.
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Lymphoma and leukaemia can cause swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck, armpits, or groin.
• Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss: Unlike growing pains, which do not generally have an affect on a child’s overall health, leukaemia can lead to noticeable weight loss and appetite suppression.

Why There Is a Misdiagnosis Risk

The similarities between growing pains and the early signs of blood cancer make misdiagnosis a real risk. Several factors contribute to this issue:

1. Prevalence of Growing Pains: Many children experience growing pains at some point, and parents and medical professional may often assume that leg pain is due to this common condition.
2. Lack of Awareness: Many general practitioners and parents may not be fully aware that leukaemia and other blood cancers can cause bone pain. This may result in a delay when it comes to further investigation, such as blood tests or imaging.
3. Intermittent Nature of Symptoms: Growing pains tend to come and go, and leukaemia related bone pain can also be intermittent. This can have an impact of making a correct diagnosis.
4. Absence of Immediate Alarming Signs: In the early stages, children with leukaemia may not exhibit severe symptoms beyond leg pain. So this may lead to a serious underlying issue being overlooked.

Consequences of Misdiagnosis

A delayed or missed diagnosis of blood cancer can have serious consequences, including:

• Disease Progression: Blood cancers can rapidly advance. This means early intervention is extremely important.
• Increased Treatment Intensity: Advanced leukaemia may require more aggressive treatments. This may include chemotherapy, radiation, or bone marrow transplants, which can result in severe side effects.
• Emotional and Psychological Impact: Families who experience misdiagnosis often suffer significant distress and guilt, wondering if earlier detection could have led to a better prognosis.
• Lower Survival Rates: The earlier blood cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment. A misdiagnosis can mean that by the time the correct diagnosis is made, the disease has reached a more critical stage.

Medical Negligence Claims for Misdiagnosed Cancer

Misdiagnosing blood cancer as growing pains can cause untold anguish for families. If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, Jefferies Claims can guide you through the process. We work with highly experienced lawyers in this field who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis and we will give you the support and understanding you need at this difficult time. Call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Us Page to learn more.