The symptoms of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) can vary widely from person to person, and some individuals may not experience any symptoms at all. However, there are several common signs and symptoms that are often associated with this disease.

The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

• Skin lesions: One of the most common symptoms of BPDCN are skin lesions. These can appear as nodules, plaques, or bruise-like patches and are often purple or brown in color. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the head, face, and upper torso.
• Fever: Many people with BPDCN experience a persistent fever that does not respond to typical fever-reducing medications.
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness or fatigue is often due to the body's increased need for energy to fight the cancer.
• Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss can occur in individuals with BPDCN. This is often due to a combination of decreased appetite and increased energy expenditure.
• Enlarged lymph nodes: BPDCN can cause the lymph nodes to become enlarged and swollen. This can often be felt as lumps under the skin, particularly in the neck, armpit, or groin areas.
• Bone pain: Some individuals with BPDCN experience bone pain, particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs. This is due to the cancer cells invading the bone marrow.

Seek Care For Your Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

Seeking medical attention promptly if you are experiencing symptoms related to your BPDCN is of utmost importance. BPDCN is an aggressive cancer. Prompt initiation of treatment is essential to achieve the best possible outcomes. Delaying treatment can allow the cancer to progress, making it more challenging to achieve remission. 

Medical attention can help manage and alleviate your symptoms and side effects and allow doctors to tailor a BPDCN treatment plan that allows you to live as comfortably as possible. Doctors can adjust treatment as needed and provide supportive care to manage treatment-related side effects and complications. Coping with a cancer diagnosis is emotionally and psychologically challenging. You don't have to deal with side effects alone. In addition to discussing with your medical team, if you are experiencing BPDCN symptoms and want to know what has worked for other blood cancer patients, visit HealthTree's Side Effect Solutions tool. Here you can search for the symptoms you are experiencing and read about what's worked (and what hasn't worked) for patients just like you. 

Side Effect Solutions

Want to Learn More About Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm?

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• What Is Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm?
• How Is Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Diagnosed?
• How Long Will I Live With Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm?
• How Is Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Staged And Classified?
• What Are Treatments For Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm?