Signs and symptoms of leukaemia

Symptoms by age

There are four main types of leukemia that differ by the rate of cancer progression (acute or chronic) and the type of blood stem cell affected (myeloid or lymphoid). Certain leukaemia types are more common at different ages. This means the symptoms most frequently experienced by people of different ages prior to diagnosis can vary.

Spot the most common leukaemia and frequently experienced symptoms in your age group:

Childhood (below 16 years)

The most common leukaemia in this age range is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The most common symptoms in this age range are:

16 to 24-year olds

The most common leukaemia in this age range is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The most common symptoms in this age range are:

25 to 49-year olds

The most common leukaemia in this age range is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The most common symptoms in this age range are:

50 to 64-year olds

The most common leukaemia in this age range is acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The most common symptoms are:

65 and over

The most common leukaemia in this age range is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The most common symptoms in this age range are:

When should I be concerned?

It is important to contact your GP, if you are displaying more than one of the above symptoms. Since the symptoms are common to other unrelated illnesses, it is unlikely that leukaemia will be the cause, however, it is for this exact reason that leukaemia can be hard to spot, as the signs and symptoms are so easily misdiagnosed. Contacting yourGP earlier can be crucial for either ruling leukaemia out or getting an early diagnosis.