What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?

The signs and symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) can differ from person to person, but they often result from the overproduction of abnormal cells called blasts. These blasts crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow and bloodstream, causing a variety of complications. Often these symptoms can mimic other illnesses, so it's important to stay aware of how you are feeling and seek medical attention promptly if you are concerned about anything.

The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia include:

• Fatigue and weakness: This can occur due to anemia (a shortage of red blood cells) which is common in people with CML.
• Weight loss without trying: This can be a result of the body's increased metabolism as it tries to keep up with the rapid growth of leukemia cells.
• Night sweats: These can be caused by fevers, which are common in people with CML.
• Fever: A persistent low-grade fever can be a sign of CML, although it can also be a symptom of infection or other diseases.
• Pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side: This is due to an enlarged spleen, which is common in people with CML.
• Easy bruising or bleeding: This can occur due to a decrease in platelets, which are needed for blood clotting.
• Frequent infections: This can occur because CML affects the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.

Seek Care For Your Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Seeking medical attention promptly if you are experiencing symptoms related to your CML is of utmost importance. Prompt initiation of treatment is essential to achieve the best possible outcomes. Delaying treatment can allow the leukemia to progress, making it more challenging to achieve remission. 

Medical attention can help manage and alleviate your symptoms and side effects and allow doctors to tailor a CML treatment plan that allows you to live as comfortably as possible. Doctors can adjust treatment as needed and provide supportive care to manage treatment-related side effects and complications. Coping with a cancer diagnosis is emotionally and psychologically challenging. You don't have to deal with side effects alone. In addition to discussing with your medical team, if you are experiencing CML symptoms and want to know what has worked for other blood cancer patients, visit HealthTree's Side Effect Solutions tool. Here you can search for the symptoms you are experiencing and read about what's worked (and what hasn't worked) for patients just like you.

Side Effect Solutions 

Want to Learn More About Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?

Keep reading HealthTree for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia's 101 pages!

• What Is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
• How Is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosed?
• How Long Will I Live With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
• How Is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Staged And Classified?
• What Are Treatments For Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?