Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a form of bone marrow, or blood, cancer. It can spread to organs, including the spleen, brain, liver, and the spine and central nervous system. Many AML symptoms mimic those of less serious illnesses, so they can be easy to ignore. Because the disease spreads quickly, early detection is key to receiving prompt AML treatment.

Who might have acute myeloid leukemia symptoms?

AML affects all genders and ages, even children. However, people over 60, especially men, are more likely to get the disease. If you know you have certain AML risk factors, you can be on the lookout for early signs of the disease. Learn more about these risk factors and who is at risk for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

What are the symptoms of leukemia?

People with leukemia may experience symptoms that are unusual, but not that alarming. Most of the time, people have a more common, treatable problem — not cancer. But you should contact your doctor if you experience symptoms or feel unwell for a week or more without any clear explanation.

General signs of leukemia include: 

• bone or joint pain

• easy bruising or bleeding

• enlarged lymph nodes

• fatigue

• fever

• loss of appetite and weight loss

• night sweats

• skin rash (petechiae)

What are the symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia?

Symptoms of AML differ based on the types of blood cells affected (cancer subtype):

• low red blood cells

• low white blood cells

• high white blood cells 

• low platelets

Low red blood cells

Your body relies on red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells, tissue, and organs. When you don’t have enough red blood cells due to AML, you can become anemic. You may have frequent headaches and look pale. You may also feel:

• cold

• lightheaded

• short of breath

• unusually tired

• weak

Low white blood cells

The key role of white blood cells is to fight infection. When your white blood cell count is low due to AML, you may have frequent infections often accompanied by fever.

High white blood cells

AML creates leukemic blasts from damaged white blood cells. Leukemia blasts are larger than normal white blood cells. A high number of large-sized blasts can clog blood vessels, leading to a condition called leukostasis. This rare, life-threatening condition deprives the body of oxygen. Symptoms of leukostasis are similar to those caused by stroke:

• blurred or impaired vision 

• confusion

• extreme fatigue

• headache

• one-sided body weakness

• shortness of breath

• slurred speech

Low platelets

Platelets have blood-clotting capabilities that help stop bleeding. People who are low in platelets experience:

• easy bruising 

• excessive bleeding

• frequent, often severe nosebleeds

• heavy menstrual periods in women

• swollen, bleeding gums

What are other signs of acute myeloid leukemia?

Some signs of AML occur internally, so you’re unlikely to know about them until you get diagnostic tests for AML. These tests may show:

• bleeding in a lung

• bleeding in the brain

• enlarged spleen

• infection

• myeloid sarcoma (a tumor made up of AML cells)

• swollen liver

From the community: “...my husband made the decision to take me to the ER due to a week of not feeling good. My symptoms came on pretty strong the week prior.... One week of feeling tired, weak, short of breath just walking up and down the stairs of my home, to zero appetite, nauseous, wanting only 7-Up, watermelon, crackers, and basically thinking I'm getting the flu. I didn't have the energy to get out of bed and it took great motivation to leave my room that week.At last, after a week of making excuses and putting off going to the hospital my hubby convinced me to "get out" on that sunny Saturday and "catch some sun and perhaps a smoothie would help." I accompanied him that afternoon to drop off our daughter at her friend’s house, found a smoothie shop, and ordered a vanilla latte boba (which to this day was the BEST tasting drink I had that week). After sitting in the sun for 45 minutes and enjoying my drink, my husband shared with me later that in looking at me he could see that I was extremely pale, fatigued, and something was definitely NOT right with me. We got into our car and I was ready to go home and back to bed! My hubby did the right thing and took me straight to the ER.” - Inspire member

Sources

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Adults. American Cancer Society.

• Risk Factors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). American Cancer Society. August 2018.

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

• Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. National Cancer Institute. March 2020.

Disclaimer

Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.