There are many reasons that stools could appear black or tarry with a foul smell, including eating certain foods or taking iron supplements. However, black stools can also be a result of bleeding, and the darker color indicates that the blood could be coming from a point in the upper gastrointestinal tract. When stools are black or tarry due to blood being present, it is called melena..
Because some conditions coincide with the presence of the disease, the following may be signs of leukemia: Anemia: A low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. This condition may contribute to weakness, fatigue or shortness of breath.
Ask your doctor to help you understand what your results mean. Low white blood cell count. Some cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy, may cause a decrease in your body's white blood cells. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow can also cause a decrease in the count.