CML symptoms

Many people with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have no symptoms. Often the disease is diagnosed after a routine blood test shows a high white blood cell count. In the early stages, symptoms tend to be mild and develop slowly.

Symptoms may include:

• swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or groin
• pain and/or feeling full after eating only a small amount – caused by an enlarged spleen
• tiredness – caused by a low red blood cell count (anaemia)
• frequent and persistent infections – caused by low levels of normal white blood cells (neutropenia) leading to lowered immunity or few protective antibodies to help fight infections
• bruising or bleeding – caused by low levels of platelets (thrombocytopenia)
• drenching night sweats
• high temperature (fever) without any other signs of infection
• unexplained weight loss.

Not everyone with these symptoms has chronic leukaemia, but if you have any of these symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor.

→ READ MORE: Diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)