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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of blood cancer that involves lymphocytes—white blood cells that help fight infections. When you have CLL, abnormal lymphocytes build up in the blood and bone marrow. Over time, these abnormal cells crowd the healthy cells. The result is fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This leads to problems such as infection, anemia, and excess bruising and bleeding. Abnormal lymphocytes may also build up in lymph nodes, the liver, or the spleen (an organ in your abdomen). This can lead to swelling of these organs.
Where CLL Develops in the Body
What are the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Everyone experiences CLL differently. CLL does not always cause symptoms. In early stages of CLL, you are less likely to be bothered by symptoms. Still, it is important to pay attention to how your CLL may be affecting you. Tell your doctor if you notice any symptoms or changes in your health.
The symptoms you should watch out for include:
- Weakness
- Feeling tired
- Feeling short of breath
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Enlarged lymph nodes (felt as lumps under the skin)
- Pain or a sense of “fullness” in the belly (especially after eating a small meal)
- Infections
- Excess bruising and bleeding
Symptoms of CLL may be seen in other conditions as well. Only your doctor will be able to tell if your symptoms are related to CLL.
Your doctor may look for:
- An increase in the number of abnormal white blood cells
- A decrease in the number of normal blood cells
- Swelling in your lymph nodes, liver, or spleen
Worsening of symptoms is reason to start treatment for CLL. Remember to talk with your healthcare team.
Understanding medical tests for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone. In fact, you are often not the first to notice your CLL. CLL is usually detected by routine checkups, or blood work for other health issues. Your doctor will need to use medical tests to diagnose your CLL. Medical tests will also tell where CLL is in your body.
Common CLL tests for diagnosis or prior treatment:
- Physical exam—your doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes, liver, or spleen and other signs of CLL
- Blood cell counts—your blood is taken through a vein and examined in a lab. Most people with CLL have a high white blood cell count
- Biopsy—a small sample of bone marrow or lymph node is removed and viewed under a microscope
- Flow cytometry—a sample of your cells is examined using a laser beam and a computer to find out the type of cancer and the number of cells involved
Common tests to find out where CLL is in your body include:
Imaging tests such as CT scans—these are pictures of the inside of your body that help show where CLL is.
How do I know how advanced my chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is?
Your doctor may talk about your CLL as being a certain stage. Stages are a medical way for your healthcare team to talk about how advanced your cancer is. Your stage is based on how many CLL cells you have and where they are in your body. This translates into early, intermediate, or advanced CLL.
Staging and the presence of symptoms often help your medical team determine:
- if treatment is necessary at this time, and
- what the most appropriate treatment is
Stages of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
| STAGES | SYMPTOMS |
|---|---|
| Early 0 |
|
| Intermediate I |
|
| Intermediate II |
|
| Advance III |
|
| Advance IV |
|
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This is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare team.