Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Symptoms

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Detailed information on chronic myelogenous leukemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

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Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Symptoms 

What are the symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?

Some people don’t have any symptoms before being diagnosed with CML. The cancer is often found when a person has blood tests done for another reason and the tests show too many white blood cells. If CML does cause symptoms, they can include: 

  • Feeling tired (fatigue)

  • Feeling weak

  • Fevers

  • Chills or night sweats

  • Frequent infections

  • Pain or a sense of fullness in the upper abdomen, from an enlarged spleen

  • Feeling full after eating only a small amount

  • Weight loss

  • Bleeding or bruising easily

  • Bone or joint pain

  • Itchy skin

When to see your healthcare provider

Many of these symptoms can be caused by other health problems. In fact, most of them are more likely to be caused by something else. But it is important to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have CML, another type of cancer, or some medical problem that needs to be treated.