Signs and symptoms of leukaemia

Find out about some of the common signs and symptoms of leukaemia to look out for.

Leukaemia is often difficult to spot as its symptoms aren’t specific and aren’t well known. We want everyone to be aware of the symptoms. If you spot one or more symptom, please ask your GP for a blood test.

The signs and symptoms of leukaemia include: 2

This is characterised by persistent or extreme tiredness that disrupts a person’s daily activities. It often doesn’t go away after a good night’s sleep.

This can include being unable to attribute weight loss to diet or exercise. As well as losing weight quickly over a short period of time.

Bruises1 caused by leukaemia are often similar in appearance to normal bruises; however, they are likely to develop more easily or with no obvious cause.

Unexplained nose bleeds can also be a symptom of leukaemia.

These are enlarged lumps that can be seen or felt underneath the skin – usually in the armpit, neck or groin area. Often, they can be the result of an everyday infection or allergy. However, they might be a sign of leukaemia, particularly if they are painless, last longer than two weeks, are hard or unmovable, or grow in size. 

This can include a sharp pain or swelling in the stomach and constantly feeling full.

Factors such as the duration and frequency of infections can help determine if they are a sign of leukaemia. Specific signs include a cough, fever or chest infection that is recurring or long lasting; and small cuts to your skin becoming infected more frequently.

The temperature at which night sweats occur, and the quantity of sweat lost can help determine if a person’s night sweats are a symptom of leukaemia. If night sweats are regular, drench you in sweat, or occur in cool environments it’s worth visiting your GP.

This can be a sharp pain or a constant dull ache in one or more bones. Bone pain caused by leukaemia is usually felt in the arms and legs, or in the ribs and sternum of the rib cage. Joint pain in ankles or wrists and swelling of large joints like the hips and shoulders can also be experienced.

Symptoms of leukaemia can include breathlessness that comes on suddenly or during activities that would normally be effortless for the person, breathlessness lasting longer than a month, breathlessness that worsens over time and coughing lasting three weeks or more.

Skin rashes2 are likely to be unexplained and often have the appearance of small red and purple spots on the skin.

How sign and symptoms of leukaemia can differ in adults and children

Leukaemia symptoms in adults and children are very similar, however, symptoms in children can develop more quickly. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)3 recommends children be offered a very urgent blood count due to the acute nature4 of leukaemia in children.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you are concerned about blood cancer, please make sure to book an appointment with your GP. The faster leukaemia patients are diagnosed, the increased likelihood they will make a full recovery.

 

The NHS* provides more information on leukaemia symptoms and blood cancer symptoms, broken down by leukaemia type. The four main types of leukaemia are:

3

Find out more about leukaemia

Spot Leukaemia

References

1Abnormal bruising – Source: Cancer Research UK
2Leukaemia skin rashes – Source: Cancer Research UK
3Symptoms suggestive of haematological cancers – Source: National Institute for Health Care and Excellence
4Childhood leukaemia symptoms – Source: Blood Cancer UK
*NHS list of leukaemia symptoms

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53 tributes
100KM FOR MUM

Sophie Hubbard

100KM FOR MUM

5 years since we lost the best mum ever, time passes but you are loved and missed just as much as ever by all of your family.
Raised so far
£1,329
Target:
£500
Caitlin Leggett Legacy

Grace Leggett

Caitlin Leggett Legacy

This fundraising legacy page is in memory of Caitlin Gwen Leggett – 15th April 2002 – 15th June 2026.
Raised so far
£1,568
Target:
£2,000
10 half’s for 10 years

Liam Haynes

10 half’s for 10 years

My mum, Karen, who passed away from leukaemia in 2017 at the age of 46.
Raised so far
£1,257
Target:
£2,000
Great Weston Ride 2026

Gemma Canavan

Great Weston Ride 2026

Mike / James was my dad and passed away in Sept 2025 He was just 58 years old He had a complete love for cycling
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£500
In memory of Kristine Pourgourides

Alex Pourgourides

In memory of Kristine Pourgourides

My mum Kristine Pourgourides
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£500
In memory of Vicki Exton

Kerry Lightfoot

In memory of Vicki Exton

Vicki was mum to Luke and Jack and had 2 sisters Angela and Kerry. She was one of the kindest, nicest person you could come across.
Raised so far
£362
Target:
£2,000
In Memory of Glynis

Charlotte Kemp-Peake

In Memory of Glynis

A loving wife, mum, nanny and great nanny.
Raised so far
£208
Skydive for my dad

Amber Finch

Skydive for my dad

My dad was the most supportive, loving and caring man. Our family meant everything to him and he meant the world to us.
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£500
20+ ultimate challenges

Michelle Paton

20+ ultimate challenges

I’m doing this in memory of my brother who battled with this disease twice and then it took his life way to young at 37 he was my hero.
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£1,000
In memory of John

David Middlehurst

In memory of John

John was a strong, thoughtful and caring soul.
Raised so far
£1,471
Target:
£1,000
In memory of our dad, Tom Reilly

Trevor Reilly

In memory of our dad, Tom Reilly

Admitted to hospital on our parents 47th wedding anniversary and died 34 days later from leukaemia
Raised so far
£445
In memory of Justin

Maxine Sanders

In memory of Justin

Justin was 36 years old when he passed away, after a very short battle with Leukaemia.
Raised so far
£1,301
Target:
£500
In memory of David Mudd

Gillian Mudd

In memory of David Mudd

Dad was wise, thoughtful, hugely self reliant and very skilled. He is loved and will be missed by us all.
Raised so far
£304
My nanu❤️

Krissy J

My nanu❤️

He was a man of grace, promise and hardwork. He wanted everyone to be happy and satisfied and was the best grandad ever. I miss you everyday nanu ❤️
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£100
Betina Birtchnell Tribute

Richard Birtchnell

Betina Birtchnell Tribute

Betina was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She suffered the conditions of AML and chemo treatment with dignity and courage.
Raised so far
£606
Target:
£1,000
In Memory of Darrel Brown

Julie Brown

In Memory of Darrel Brown

A Kind, friendly, gentle man who gave his friendship freely and helped anybody who needed it. A family man who loved deeply.
Raised so far
£3,423
Target:
£3,000
In Memory of Colin D E Poundall

Ann Poundall

In Memory of Colin D E Poundall

In memory of Colin Poundall diagnosed two rare Leukemias. Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
Raised so far
£593
Target:
£500
In Loving Memory of Brian Paul Connington

Jennifer Connington

In Loving Memory of Brian Paul Connington

In memory of Brian Paul Connington
Raised so far
£998
Target:
£500
Nathan’s Funeral Flowers

Georgina Toole

Nathan’s Funeral Flowers

My brother had Leukaemia and although he overcame it the complications took their toll I am fundraising for Leukaemia in hope it can save someone else
Raised so far
£1,417
Target:
£500
Raising money for vital research in memory of Richard Brooks

Laura Marks

Raising money for vital research in memory of Richard Brooks

Richard was the co-founder of BB Creative Communications and this is part of our charity focus as part of his legacy.
Raised so far
£833
Target:
£10,000
Brian Anthony Lofthouse

Thomas Lofthouse

Brian Anthony Lofthouse

To support those affected by Leukaemia
Raised so far
£462
Target:
£100
In memory of Deirdre Cornish (nee Mills)

Claire Cornish

In memory of Deirdre Cornish (nee Mills)

In memory of mum who lived with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Raised so far
£165
Target:
£200
Joe Grant’s Legacy

Louisa Grant

Joe Grant’s Legacy

A friend helping an old friend
Raised so far
£545
Target:
£500
In Memory of Jane Wiggins

Sarah Grimshaw

In Memory of Jane Wiggins

To support the amazing working of Leukaemia UK.
Raised so far
£270
Target:
£400
In memory of Dieter Heinz Stark

Jane Stark

In memory of Dieter Heinz Stark

I have set up this funding tribute page in loving memory of my husband, Dieter.
Raised so far
£1,060
Target:
£200
For you Liz x

Friends & Family

For you Liz x

To create a campaign whereby the early signs of APML and other rare forms of Leukaemia are more widely known and recognised.
Raised so far
£23,337
Target:
£10,000
For the Best Dad

Karl Aston

For the Best Dad

We lost Dad to Leukaemia and want to help others
Raised so far
£125
Target:
£200
In memory of Tanya

Michael Cuthbertson

In memory of Tanya

To help raise money to fund the research in leukaemia and hopefully one day finding a cure so no one has to go through this cruel disease.
Raised so far
£283
Target:
£200
In Memory of Simon Chin

Phil Chin

In Memory of Simon Chin

In memory of and tribute to Simon Yuen-Hang Chin
Raised so far
£2,015
Target:
£1,000
Gin raffle

Bobbie Bassett

Gin raffle

In memory of my beautiful Sister Helena Bassett. Never forgotten. Loved and missed daily.
Raised so far
£114
Target:
£100
In memory of Vivienne Prince

The Prince Family

In memory of Vivienne Prince

Vivienne Prince was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, friend and colleague.
Raised so far
£1,729
Target:
£50
In Memory of Russell Fillery

Michele StJohn

In Memory of Russell Fillery

After a year long brave fight against leukaemia, Russ sadly passed away on 10.5.20.
Raised so far
£1,548
Target:
£700
50 mile cycle in December for Leukaemia

Jaxon Bolton

50 mile cycle in December for Leukaemia

Cycling 50 miles in December to help raise money for Leukaemia UK.
Raised so far
£1,795
Target:
£1,000
In Memory of Andy

Kirsty Botten

In Memory of Andy

My Dad passed away after a relaspes of acute myeloid leukemia.
Raised so far
£140
Target:
£1,000
In Loving Memory of Jane Smith

Richard Smith

In Loving Memory of Jane Smith

Raising funds to help the fight against Leukaemia which took our loving Mum from us in October this year.
Raised so far
£180
Target:
£500
Curry’s Cannock Fundraiser

Currys Store Cannock

Curry’s Cannock Fundraiser

To raise funds in memory of Kelly Butler.
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£500
In memory of Alan Forrest

Wendy Forrest

In memory of Alan Forrest

Raising money in memory of Alan Forrest, most wonderful dad & husband, who we lost too soon due to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Raised so far
£1,320
Target:
£500
In Loving Memory of Stephen Barr

Liz Freeman

In Loving Memory of Stephen Barr

In Loving Memory of Stephen Barr
Raised so far
£1,930
Target:
£100
In memory of Chie Man

Lilian Kan

In memory of Chie Man

In memory of Chie Man
Raised so far
£3,058
Target:
£100
In Memory of our Jeremy

Louise Jarvis

In Memory of our Jeremy

In Memory of our Jeremy
Raised so far
£10,569
Target:
£100
In memory of Ian Clayton

Alaina Creedy

In memory of Ian Clayton

In memory of Ian Clayton
Raised so far
£670
Target:
£500
In memory of Josh Dilloway

Michael Dilloway

In memory of Josh Dilloway

In memory of Josh Dilloway
Raised so far
£864
Target:
£100
In Memory of Angela Kerry

Ian Kerry

In Memory of Angela Kerry

Our wonderful Angela Kerry – Sunrise 07/09/1952 to Sunset 04/03/2022
Raised so far
£405
Target:
£100
Memorial Fund for Carl Hewson

Nigel Hewson

Memorial Fund for Carl Hewson

This memorial fund has been set up to raised funds for Leukaemia UK to support families affected by blood cancer.
Raised so far
£56,635
Target:
£1,000
In memory of Stephen Scollay

Janet SCOLLAY

In memory of Stephen Scollay

Stephen was diagnosed with Leukaemia in the summer of 2017.
Raised so far
£1,092
Target:
£500
Katie Wilkins (daughter of Jonathan Wilkins)

Tony Haynes

Katie Wilkins (daughter of Jonathan Wilkins)

In support of Jonathan Wilkins and family, who recently suffered the loss of their daughter to Leukaemia
Raised so far
£8,778
Target:
£2,000
Miles for Jim

Jason W

Miles for Jim

My Grandad died due to Leukaemia
Raised so far
£4,994
Target:
£3,000
In memory of John Richard Edmund Lyddon

Janis Bourne

In memory of John Richard Edmund Lyddon

John Lyddon died from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia on Wednesday 27th April 2022, in Frindsbury Hall Nursing Home, Wainscott, Strood, Kent.
Raised so far
£290
Target:
£100
In loving memory of Pat Embery

Trudie Embery

In loving memory of Pat Embery

In memory of our Mum and Nan who sadly passed away in April 2022 after a short but hard battle against acute myeloid leukaemia
Raised so far
£0
Target:
£5
In Loving Memory of Alice Young

Scott Young

In Loving Memory of Alice Young

To help research into Leukaemia
Raised so far
£2,965
Target:
£100
In memoriam Elizabeth Richards

Daniel Richards

In memoriam Elizabeth Richards

Our mother, Elizabeth, passed away on December 27th, 2021.
Raised so far
£1,025
Target:
£5
In memory of Daniel Steven Heywood

Nigel Alan Heywood

In memory of Daniel Steven Heywood

We lost our son Danny to leukaemia and Danny would want us to help and support in fighting this horrible disease.
Raised so far
£1,995
Target:
£5
In loving memory of Tony Love

Anne Love

In loving memory of Tony Love

Tony was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2002 just after retiring from over 30 years in The Warwickshire Ambulance Service.
Raised so far
£5,672
Target:
£5

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11 May 2022

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