Overview
- People who notice new or unusual paleness alongside other symptoms are advised to contact their GP without delay.
- Warning signs include tiredness or weakness, breathlessness, unexplained bruising or bleeding, fever or night sweats, weight loss, bone or joint pain, swollen glands, and a feeling of abdominal fullness.
- Symptoms typically develop over a few weeks and may worsen quickly, reflecting the fast course of acute myeloid leukaemia.
- GPs are expected to start with blood tests and to arrange urgent referral to a haematologist if results suggest a problem.
- AML is relatively uncommon in the UK at around 3,100 cases each year and mainly affects older adults, though parents are urged to seek advice for children with possible symptoms.