Symptoms
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Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
CLL tends to progress slowly and many people with CLL may not experience symptoms for years. Symptoms of CLL can also be linked to many other conditions, making it difficult to self-detect the disease without proper testing.
The most common symptoms include:
- Frequent infections
- Anaemia: persistent tiredness, shortness of breath, and pale skin
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Fever
- Bleeding and bruising more easily than normal
- Abdominal swelling and discomfort
- Swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin
CLL is often detected during routine check-ups and blood tests for other health problems, as the cancerous cells can be easily detected in the blood.
Unlike bowel or breast cancer, it’s not common practice to routinely screen for CLL, but it is important to contact your doctor as soon as you experience any of the mentioned symptoms or any other changes in your health.
References
[1]
NHS. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia – Overview. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/. Last accessed: February 2025.
[2]
Macmillan Cancer Support. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/leukaemia/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-cll. Last accessed: February 2025.
[3]
Leukaemia Care. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/information-about-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-information/leukaemia/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/. Last accessed: February 2025.
[4]
National Cancer Insititute. Definition of Chemotherapy. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/chemotherapy. Last accessed: February 2025.
[5]
Cancer Research UK. Treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-cll/treatment/how-you-have. Last accessed: January 2025.
[6]
American Cancer Society. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy. Last accessed: January 2025.
[7]
Macmillan Cancer Support. Targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/targeted-therapies-for-cll. Last accessed: February 2025.
[8]
American Cancer Society. Typical Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/treating/treatment-by-risk-group.html. Last accessed: February 2025.
[9]
Macmillan Cancer Support. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/leukaemia/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-cll-supportive-therapies. Last accessed: January 2025.
[10]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. BNF: Antifungals, systemic use. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antifungals-systemic-use.html. Last accessed: February 2025.
[11]
Macmillan Cancer Support. G-CSF (Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor). Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/g-csf. Last accessed: February 2025.
[12]
Cancer Research UK. Survival for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-cll/survival. Last accessed: April 2025.
