What are the symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia?

AML starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. As abnormal immature cells increase, there may be fewer healthy red cells, platelets, and infection-fighting white cells. This can lead to marked fatigue, shortness of breath with activity, pale skin, fever, chills, or infections that keep returning. Low platelets may cause easy bruising, bleeding from the nose or gums, heavier menstrual bleeding, or tiny red-purple skin spots. Some people notice aching in bones or joints, reduced appetite, or unplanned weight loss. Symptoms can appear over a short period and may resemble common illnesses, so symptoms alone cannot confirm AML.

Arrange a medical assessment for unexplained or persistent symptoms, especially bruising or fever. A clinician may ask about their timing, examine you, and order a full blood count; further tests can examine blood or bone marrow if results suggest a blood disorder. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Keep a record of fevers, bleeding, infections, and any new medicines, and tell the clinician if you have a history of Myelodysplastic Syndromes or Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Seek urgent medical care for a high or persistent fever, difficulty breathing, confusion, severe weakness, uncontrolled bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood, or a severe headache with new neurological changes. People receiving cancer treatment should use the urgent contact number provided by their team because infection can worsen quickly when white-cell counts are low.

Which blood tests are needed to investigate these symptoms? Could a medicine or infection explain the changes? What signs should prompt an emergency visit? If AML is confirmed, when might Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, or Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant be considered?