What are the symptoms of chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Chronic myeloid leukaemia, also called CML, affects blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. In its earlier phase, abnormal blood cells may build up gradually, so a person can feel well and the condition may be noticed during a routine blood test. When symptoms occur, they can include persistent tiredness, reduced stamina, sweating at night, reduced appetite, and unexplained weight loss. An enlarged spleen may create a feeling of fullness or discomfort beneath the left ribs, sometimes after eating only a small amount. These symptoms are not specific to CML and can have many other explanations.

Arrange a medical assessment if these changes persist, recur, or are unexplained. A clinician may ask about the timing of symptoms, examine the abdomen, and arrange blood tests to check blood cell numbers and other findings. Further testing can clarify whether CML is present and which phase it is in. Keep a short record of night sweats, appetite, weight changes, abdominal fullness, bruising, or infections to make the consultation more useful.

Seek prompt medical advice for ongoing unexplained tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, unusual fullness under the ribs, easy bruising, or repeated infections. Seek urgent help for severe weakness, fainting, heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, or sudden severe abdominal pain. These warning signs need assessment because they may reflect a serious problem, whether or not CML is involved.

Ask which blood tests are needed, whether an enlarged spleen could explain abdominal fullness, what other conditions might cause the symptoms, and when results should be reviewed. If CML is diagnosed, ask how targeted therapy works and when a specialist might discuss an allogeneic stem cell transplant.