Getting diagnosed
It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.
Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests first. This will help them decide if you need to see a specialist. Your CLL might also have been picked up when you had a blood test for something else.
Everybody who has CLL should have the diagnosis confirmed by a specialist at the hospital. But in some cases, the GP will lead the care of your CLL. This might be the case if, for example, you are diagnosed during a routine blood test for something else.
There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. Depending on your symptoms and other factors, this might be an urgent suspected cancer referral. These vary slightly between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.
Some of the guidelines have targets around how quickly you are referred. For example, you might have blood tests within 2 days. Or you may see a specialist immediately (within a few hours).
Your GP will consider any other symptoms you have, so do mention these.
Read more about the possible symptoms of chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL)
Your GP might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing CLL.
Go to the risk and causes of CLL
Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.
Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.
If your GP has referred you to a specialist, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one.
Some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.
Go to more information about an urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask
Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.
Last reviewed: 19 Aug 2024
Next review due: 19 Aug 2027
You usually start by seeing your GP and they might refer you to a specialist and organise tests. Find out more about tests and screening for CLL.
An urgent suspected cancer referral includes tests or referral to a hospital doctor. This to investigate your symptoms and find out if it could be cancer.
Your doctor can usually diagnose CLL by doing a number of checks on your blood sample cells. These are called immunophenotyping tests. You then may have other tests to find out more information about your CLL.
There are waiting time targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the different UK nations.
See your GP if you notice a change that isn't normal for you or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of chronic leukaemia.
CLL affects the white blood cells called lymphocytes. It tends to develop very slowly. Find out about the treatment you might need and much more.
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