What to expect from chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Before treatment, the team reviews symptoms, examination findings, blood counts, kidney function and other medicines. Drugs may be given as tablets, an infusion, or a combination. A cycle can include treatment days followed by a planned break, allowing blood counts and the body to recover. The exact plan depends on the features of the leukaemia, previous treatment and your health.

You may notice tiredness, nausea, appetite changes, mouth soreness, bowel changes or hair thinning. Chemotherapy can also lower infection-fighting cells or platelets, and some medicines can affect nerves or other organs. These effects are monitored with blood tests and symptom reviews; tell the team early rather than stopping prescribed treatment yourself.

Take medicines exactly as directed and keep appointments for blood tests, even when you feel well. Keep a record of temperature, bowel changes, rashes, bruising and new numbness. Wash hands regularly, avoid close contact with people who are unwell, and ask before receiving vaccines. Maintain fluids and gentle activity as tolerated. Check before using painkillers, supplements or herbal products because they may interact with treatment or affect bleeding.

Call your haematology team promptly for the fever threshold they provided, chills, a new cough, breathlessness, painful urination, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, unusual bruising, black stools, bleeding, confusion or marked weakness. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, sudden neurological changes or bleeding that will not stop. Infection can worsen quickly when white-cell counts are low.

Ask why this regimen is recommended, how tablets or infusions should be handled, which blood results affect the next cycle, and what infection precautions apply. Ask how response will be assessed, whether other medicines need changing, and who to contact at night or during public holidays.