Chronic myeloid leukaemia

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Chronic leukaemia means the condition progresses slowly over many years. Chronic leukaemia is classified according to the type of white blood cells that are affected by cancer. There are 2 main types:

lymphocytes – mostly used to fight viral infections myeloid cells – which perform a number of different functions, such as fighting bacterial infections, defending the body against parasites and preventing the spread of tissue damage

These pages focus on chronic myeloid leukaemia, which is a cancer of the myeloid cells. The following other types of leukaemia are covered elsewhere:

chronic lymphocytic leukaemia acute myeloid leukaemia acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Symptoms

In its early stages, chronic myeloid leukaemia usually causes no noticeable symptoms and it is often diagnosed during tests for a different condition.

When symptoms do develop, they are similar to those of many other illnesses and can include:

tiredness frequent infections unexplained weight loss a feeling of bloating less commonly, swollen lymph nodes – glands found in the neck and under your arms, which are usually painless

Chronic myeloid leukaemia can also cause swelling in your spleen (an organ that helps to filter impurities from your blood). This can cause a lump to appear on the left side of your abdomen, which may be painful when touched. A swollen spleen can also put pressure on your stomach, causing a lack of appetite and indigestion.

The symptoms of chronic myeloid leukaemia in its advanced stage will be much more noticeable and troublesome. They include:

severe fatigue bone pain night sweats fever easily bruised skin