Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Health Center

Symptoms of CML are difficult to diagnose as they do not always show up in each individual with the condition. Additionally, symptoms of CML can often belong to other illnesses, making the condition harder to recognize.

Symptoms of CML include extreme fatigue, weight loss for no obvious reason, night sweats, fever and pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side of the body. These external signs can belong to a number of other conditions ranging from mono to the common flu. If you experience one or more of these symptoms together in an extended or severe manner, you should consult a doctor or health professional.

As cancerous cells travel throughout the body, a solid tumor may form. A solid tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that typically does not contain cysts or liquids. While blood cancers usually do not produce solid tumors, it is a possibility and an additional symptom.

CML has three phases, and the severity of symptoms often determines what phase the patient is in. As there becomes less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, infections may arise, anemia may develop and easy bleeding may become a problem. In patients with chronic phase CML, fewer than 10 percent of blood cells are blast cells (immature blood cells), which take up space typically given to healthy cells like white blood cells, red blood cells and clotting platelets. Patients with accelerated phase CML have 10 to 19 percent blast cells, and blastic phase CML has 20 percent or more of immature blood or blast cells. During this last phase, patients may experience extreme tiredness as well as fever and enlarged spleen.
 

Review Date: 
August 20, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com