Does fluid retention pose a threat for a serious condition ?
KH: Generalized fluid retention poses a much more serious, and potentially life-threatening, problem. The syndrome is rare, reported in less than 1% of chronic phase patients, but in 3% of patients treated in blast phase. Such generalized fluid retention may be evident in the form of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pleural or pericardial effusion (fluid surrounding the cavity around the heart), ascites (abnormal fluid in the abdomen), anasarca (generalized swelling) or cerebral edema (extra fluid and swelling in the brain). The most common symptom of pulmonary edema is shortness of breath. The most common symptom of pleural or pericardial effusion is also shortness of breath. The most common symptom of ascites is swelling in the abdomen. The most common symptom of cerebral edema is headache.
