Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) signs and symptoms

People who have chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) may not have any symptoms at first. Often, patients learn they have CML after a routine physical exam or a blood test. CML signs and symptoms tend to develop gradually. 

Signs and symptoms of CML

Those with symptoms often report experiencing:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath during basic everyday activities
• Fever
• Bone pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side, due to an enlarged spleen
• Night sweats
   

Many signs and symptoms of CML occur because the CML cells crowd out the bone marrow’s healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Anemia is a lack of red blood cells that can cause weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. A lack of normal white blood cells can increase the risk of infection, and a lack of platelets can lead to excessive bruising or bleeding. Symptoms may also occur because CML cells accumulate in organs such as the spleen. Some patients may have a high platelet count.

The information on this page covers signs and symptoms of CML in adults. Visit CML in children and young adults to learn about signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information for children and young adults with CML.