8) Altered mental status
In some cases, there are so many white blood cells populating the blood that it becomes thick and very dense. This is called leukostasis, and in these cases, the circulation in the smallest arteries of the brain becomes impaired. Thus, patients start displaying respiratory distress and changes in their mental status that include confusion, lethargy, and coma. This is one of the most life-threatening situations in acute myeloid leukemia, and these patients require emergency medical attention to improve their prognosis.