Dismiss Modal

Symptoms

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Symptoms

Choose a preferred language


What are the symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?

Many people don’t have any symptoms when they're diagnosed with CML. It's often found when a person has blood tests done for another reason and the tests show too many white blood cells. If CML does cause symptoms, they can include: 

  • Feeling very tired (fatigue).

  • Feeling weak.

  • Fevers.

  • Night sweats.

  • Frequent infections.

  • Pain or a sense of fullness in the left upper belly (abdomen), from an enlarged spleen.

  • Feeling full after eating only a small amount.

  • Weight loss for no known reason.

  • Bone or joint pain.


When to see your doctor

Many of these symptoms can be caused by other, more common health problems. In fact, most of them are more likely to be caused by something else. But it's important to see your health care provider if you have these symptoms. Only a provider can tell if you have CML, another type of cancer, or some other health problem that needs to be treated.

Featured in

© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Related Articles
Read article
Hematology
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Symptoms

Learn about the symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and when to see your doctor.

Read article
Immune Conditions
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Spleen Surgery

When you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), surgery is sometimes done to remove a swollen spleen. But this is rare. This procedure is called a splenectomy.

Read article
Immune Conditions
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Newly Diagnosed

Being told you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help.

Read article
Immune Conditions
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Stages

Knowing the stage of your cancer is vital when deciding how to treat it. This helpful guide explains the 4 stages of Hodgkin lymphoma and what they mean.