Woman Diagnosed with Rare Leukemia After Initial Tonsillitis Diagnosis
A young woman's persistent sore throat and unusual symptoms led to a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia, highlighting the importance of not dismissing unusual health signs.
Rowan Bland, 28, was initially diagnosed with tonsillitis in February 2025 after experiencing a sore throat and feeling run down. However, the prescribed antibiotics proved ineffective, and her condition worsened. She began developing unexplained bruises, bleeding gums, and blood blisters in her mouth. These alarming symptoms prompted further medical investigation.
After multiple visits to her general practitioner, Bland requested a blood test, suspecting she might have glandular fever. Instead, the test results led to an immediate referral to the emergency room. Doctors at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow diagnosed her with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia.
Bland, who was 27 at the time of diagnosis, recalled her initial misconceptions about leukemia, believing it was a disease that primarily affected children and that cancer typically presented as a lump. Her experience underscores the reality that serious illnesses can affect individuals of any age.
Her treatment began immediately with induction therapy, including intravenous arsenic and ATRA tablets, over six to seven weeks. During this period, she experienced complications such as sepsis and blood clots. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy indicated she was in remission. This was followed by an additional six months of outpatient chemotherapy, concluding in November 2025. By January 2026, a final biopsy confirmed no evidence of the disease.
Bland has since shared her story to encourage others, particularly young people, not to ignore persistent or unusual symptoms. She emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself in healthcare settings, stating, "If you feel like something isn’t right, you need to push harder. I would just tell people to really push for things like blood tests."
Colin Dyer, chief executive of Leukaemia Care, a support organization that assisted Bland, commented, "Leukemia can affect people of any age, and its symptoms can be easy to dismiss or attribute to something else." He added, "Rowan was just 27 when she was diagnosed with APL, and her experience shows why we need to challenge the misconception that blood cancer is something that only happens to older people."
While Bland continues to undergo monthly blood tests and experiences some lingering health issues, including osteonecrosis, she has embraced a more active lifestyle. She has participated in a 5K Race for Life and is training for a 10K, finding that running has significantly benefited her mental health.