Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of leukemia?

1. Chronic fatigue

2. Weight gain

3. Anemia

4. Enlargement of spleen and liver

The correct answer is: Weight gain

Weight gain is not a symptom typically associated with leukemia. Instead, leukemia often leads to symptoms linked to a decrease in the body's ability to produce normal blood cells. Chronic fatigue occurs due to anemia, which is a common result of leukemia as the body struggles to maintain a normal red blood cell count. Anemia, in turn, leads to decreased oxygen transport in the body, resulting in persistent tiredness. Furthermore, the enlargement of the spleen and liver, known as splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, can occur due to the infiltration of leukemic cells in these organs, which is also consistent with leukemia's effects. In contrast, weight gain is not a direct symptom of this blood cancer, as cancer typically leads to weight loss rather than weight gain due to various metabolic changes in the body.