Symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

Symptoms of AML can be similar to those caused by other illnesses. The symptoms are caused by too many abnormal white blood cells and not enough normal white cells, red cells and platelets. 

Symptoms of AML might include one or more of the following:

• feeling weak or tired

• a high temperature (fever)

• picking up or not being able to shake off infections such as coughs and colds

• bruising and bleeding easily

• breathlessness

• weight loss

• swelling of your lymph nodes

• pain in your bones or joints

• feeling full in your tummy (abdomen)

• looking pale or washed out

Find our what happens when seeing your GP

General weakness

You might feel weaker than normal.

Feeling tired (fatigue)

You might feel more tired than normal, even if you are getting a good night's sleep.

A high temperature (fever)

You might have a high temperature or feel feverish.

Frequent infections

You might pick up infections such as coughs and colds easily. Or you might find that the infections last a long time and are difficult to shake off.

Short of breath (breathlessness)

You might notice that you’re feeling breathless more than usual or for a lot of the time. You might feel out of breath after your normal day to day activities or from climbing a short flight of stairs. This could be because you do not have enough red blood cells (anaemia).

Other symptoms of anaemia include heart palpations, chest pain, headaches and dizziness.

Other symptoms

Less common symptoms include lumps on the skin and swollen lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes (glands) might feel swollen when you touch them. You have lymph nodes in lots of places in your body. They might feel swollen in:

• your neck

• under your armpit

• in your groin

Get tips on seeing your GP about your symptoms