The most common sign of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is having too many monocytes (seen on a blood test).
Having too many monocytes also causes many of the symptoms of CMML. These monocytes can settle in the spleen or liver, enlarging these organs. An enlarged spleen (called splenomegaly) can cause pain in the upper left part of the belly (abdomen). It can also cause people to notice they feel full too fast when they eat. If the liver gets too big (called hepatomegaly), it causes discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen.
Low numbers of other types of blood cells cause many of the signs and symptoms of CMML:
Other symptoms can include weight loss, fever, and loss of appetite. Of course, many of these problems are caused more often by something other than cancer. If you're having symptoms, you should see a doctor so a cause can be found.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Revised: October 24, 2017
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