skip to main content

Leukemia Symptoms

The symptoms of leukemia depend on the number of leukemia cells and where these cells collect in the body.

Like all blood cells, leukemia cells travel through the body. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur.

Possible signs of adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Fever.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Easy bruising or bleeding.
  • Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding).
  • Weakness or feeling tired.
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite.

Source: National Cancer Institute - Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)

Possible signs of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

  • Weakness or feeling tired.
  • Fever or night sweats.
  • Easy bruising or bleeding.
  • Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite.
  • Pain in the bones or stomach.
  • Pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs.
  • Painless lumps in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin.
  • Having many infections.

Source: National Cancer Institute - Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)

Possible signs of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin.
  • Feeling very tired.
  • Pain or fullness below the ribs.
  • Fever and infection.
  • Weight loss for no known reason.
  • Source: National Cancer Institute - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)

    Possible signs of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

    • Feeling very tired.
    • Weight loss for no known reason.
    • Night sweats.
    • Fever.
    • Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side.

    Sometimes CML does not cause any symptoms at all.

    Source: National Cancer Institute - Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)

    Still have questions?

    The nurses at Cancer AnswerLine™ have answers. Call 1-800-865-1125 and you'll get a personal response from one of our registered nurses, who have years of experience in caring for people with cancer.

    back to top