Injure to the bone marrow, by way of displacing the standard bone marrow cells with higher numbers of immature white blood cells, results in a lack of blood platelets, which are main in the blood clotting process. This means people with leukemia may become aching, bleed excessively, or develop pinprick bleeds.

White blood cells, which are concerned in fighting pathogens, may be concealed or dysfunctional. This could cause the patient's immune system to be unable to fight off a simple infection or to start attacking additional body cells.

Finally, the red blood cell deficiency leads to anemia, which may cause dyspnea. All symptoms can be aspect to other diseases.