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.

Get Connected to a Care Manager

Get Connected
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
Hematology
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Measuring Treatment Response

During treatment for CML, tests will be done to see how well treatment is working. Testing is done to see if the treatment is destroying leukemia cells.

Read article
Immune Conditions
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Chemotherapy

Chemo is often the first treatment used for CLL. It's not likely to cure CLL. But it can often help keep it under control. Here's what you need to know.

Read article
Hematology
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Treatment Questions

Talking with healthcare providers about cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared. Read on for some questions to ask during your appointments.