What are the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

CLL is a blood cancer involving lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. It can develop slowly, and some people have no symptoms when it is first found; a blood test may identify it for another reason. As abnormal cells build up, lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin can become enlarged. The spleen may also enlarge, causing fullness or discomfort beneath the left ribs and sometimes making a person feel full quickly.

Reduced healthy blood-cell production can contribute to fatigue, breathlessness with activity, pale skin, frequent infections, easy bruising, or bleeding. Fever, drenching night sweats, and unintended weight loss can also occur. These symptoms have many possible causes, so they do not by themselves establish CLL. A clinician may use an examination and blood tests, with further tests if needed. Read more about [Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia](/conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/).

Arrange a medical review for a persistent swollen node, continuing fatigue, repeated infections, unexplained bruising, or changes such as night sweats or weight loss. Note when each symptom began, whether it is changing, and any medicines or recent infections that may be relevant. A blood count and other investigations can help distinguish CLL from infection, anaemia, medication effects, and other conditions. A symptom diary can make the appointment more useful. Persistent fatigue has its own [symptom guide](/symptoms/persistent-fatigue/), and enlarged nodes are described in [Swollen Lymph Nodes](/symptoms/swollen-lymph-nodes/).

Seek urgent medical help for bleeding that does not stop, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, fainting, or a high fever with marked weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for a rapidly enlarging node, new severe abdominal swelling or pain, or repeated infections. If CLL has already been diagnosed, follow the action plan from your haematology team because infection and bleeding symptoms may need faster assessment.

You could ask: Which symptoms need same-day advice? What blood tests will help explain these changes? Could a medicine or infection be contributing? Do I need monitoring by a haematology team? If treatment becomes appropriate, how would options such as [Chemotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/chemotherapy/) or [Targeted Therapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/targeted-therapy/) fit my situation?