Acute myelogenous leukemia is a rapidly growing cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells. In acute myelogenous leukemia, the bone marrow creates immature cells instead of normal white blood cells; eventually the abnormal cells crowd out the production all normal types of blood cells. Acute promyelocytic leukemia, a subset of acute myelogenous leukemia, accounts for about 10 to 15 percent of all cases of acute myelogenous leukemia, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. The symptoms of acute promyelocytic leukemia are similar to those of the myelogenous leukemias but may include more serious complications, such as severe bleeding.
Frequent Infections
Lower levels of infection-fighting white blood cells in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia can lead to frequent infections. According to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, the most serious infections are pneumonia and sepsis, which is systemic infection.
Fatigue
Lower levels of red blood cells cause anemia, which makes patients feel very tired or weak. The person may become easily winded or short of breath during exercise, according to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Anemia also can make the person look paler than usual.
Easy Bleeding or Bruising
Decreased numbers of platelets can cause symptoms like easy bruising and the development of petechiae, small pinpoint-like spots of blood in the skin. People with acute promyelocytic leukemia are also at risk for excessive bleeding because the leukemia cells release a substance that can cause increased or even fatal bleeding, as noted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Joint Pain
Another symptom of acute promyelocytic leukemia may be pain in bone or in the joints such as knee or hips, according to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. This pain is caused by increased numbers of leukemic cells in the bones and joints due to the leukemia.
