There eventually is enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Common to all leukemias are the tendency to bleed and the resultant anemia and increased susceptibility to infection. The diagnosis of leukemia requires confirmation of leukemic cells in the bone marrow by bone marrow biopsy and aspiration.
River Phoenix's autopsy showed deadly levels of cocaine and morphine (heroin shows up as morphine, as it's metabolized by the body), Valium, marijuana and ephedrine. Ephedrine is the main ingredient found in crystal meth. Official cause of death was Acute multiple drug ingestion. River Phoenix was just 23 years old.
It's an image of pathos that fits into American movies very well: A reticent teen-ager in jeans, with unkempt hair, who is constantly dropping his glasses, turns out to have the right stuff to be a talented concert pianist. In Sidney Lumet's latest movie, Running on Empty, River Phoenix portrays Danny Pope, a. k. a. Mike Manfield and several other fictitious names. He is 17, in a state of emotional hibernation, and a mystery to his teachers.