blood disorders
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Symptoms of AML
The first symptoms of AML are very similar to those of Symptoms and result from the inability of the bone marrow to produce enough normal blood cells. Fever and excessive sweating may indicate infection, which may result from too few normal white blood cells. Weakness, fatigue, and paleness, which may result from too few red blood cells ( Overview of Anemia ). Some people may have trouble breathing, a rapid heart rate, or chest pain. Easy bruising and bleeding, sometimes in the form of nosebleeds or bleeding gums, which may result from too few platelets ( Overview of Thrombocytopenia ). In some cases, people may bleed into their brain or abdomen. Leukemia cells can invade other organs. Leukemia cells in the bone marrow may cause bone and joint pain. A sense of fullness in the abdomen and sometimes pain can result when leukemia cells cause enlargement of the liver and spleen. Leukemia cells can form small masses throughout the body, including in or just under the skin (called leukemia cutis) or gums, or in the eyes. AML cells can spread to the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges), leading to leukemic meningitis, which may cause Headaches Vomiting Stroke Disturbances of vision, hearing, and facial muscles (leukemic meningitis) In the subtype of AML called acute promyelocytic leukemia, bleeding or blood clotting problems often occur. 