Symptoms

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Symptoms

Choose a preferred language


What are the symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)?

Symptoms of ALL can be different in each person. The most common symptoms are:

  • Easy bleeding and bruising.

  • Pain or fullness below your ribs (from a swollen liver or spleen).

  • Pale skin.

  • Rashes of tiny flat, red, or purple spots (caused by bleeding).

  • Fever with no clear cause.

  • Feeling weak.

  • Feeling very tired (fatigue).

  • Frequent infections or infections that don't go away.

  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.

  • Dizziness.

  • Aches in bones and joints, your back, or your belly.

  • Swollen lymph nodes (painless lumps under your skin in your neck, armpit, or groin).

  • Loss of appetite.

  • Unplanned weight loss.

  • Night sweats.

  • Headaches.

  • Blurred vision.

  • Nausea and vomiting.

  • Heavier, more frequent, or prolonged menstrual bleeding.


When to see your doctor

Many of these symptoms can be caused by other, more common health problems. In fact, most of them are more likely to be caused by something else. But it's important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell if you have ALL, another type of cancer, or some other medical problem that needs to be treated.

Featured in

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
schedule icon

Schedule an Appointment

Find the right provider and schedule anytime.

View Providers
Related Articles
Read article
Immune Conditions
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Introduction

Read on to learn more about acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). This type of leukemia starts in very early or premature forms of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These immature cells are called lymphoblasts, or just blasts.

Read article
Oncology
Blood and Blood Product Transfusions for Cancer

A blood transfusion is when blood or parts of the blood are given to a person through an IV line placed in a vein. The blood and blood parts used for transfusion are called blood products. The blood usually comes from another person (donor). This sheet tells you more about how blood and blood products may be used to help treat cancer.

Read article
Oncology
Primary Bone Cancer: Tests to Check the Extent of the Cancer

If your doctor has found that you have primary bone cancer, more tests will be needed. These tests can help your doctor learn more about your type of cancer and its specific location and size.

Read article
Oncology
Discharge Instructions for Fine-Needle Thyroid Biopsy

You had a procedure called fine-needle thyroid biopsy. This biopsy was done to assess a nodule or cyst in your thyroid gland or enlargement of the thyroid. During the biopsy, a very thin needle is inserted through the skin into the gland. The needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue from the gland. (This may be done more than one time to be sure to get cells from all parts of the nodule.) Or the needle is used to drain fluid from a cyst. The tissue or fluid is then studied in a lab.