Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

What are the symptoms of CLL?

Many symptoms of CLL are vague. You may feel as if you had the flu.

Symptoms of CLL include:

• swollen ​lymph glands​ or tummy (abdominal) discomfort from an enlarged spleen

• weight loss

• infections that will not get better

• feeling tired

• ​anaemia​

• bleeding or bruising

• bone pain or night sweats

Swollen lymph glands or tummy (abdominal) discomfort from an enlarged spleen

In CLL, you can have swollen glands (​lymph nodes​ ). The swollen glands are most often in your neck or under your arms. You may also get an enlarged ​spleen​ . The spleen is an organ on the left of your body, just under your ribs. If your spleen becomes much bigger than normal, it can be uncomfortable or painful. Your doctor may be able to feel that the spleen is enlarged.

Weight loss

CLL itself uses up energy that your body would otherwise use or store. So you may lose weight, even if you eat normally. Rarely, an enlarged spleen may also increase the weight loss by squashing your stomach and making you feel full more quickly than usual. You may then eat less than normal.

Infections that will not get better

As the number of abnormal white blood cells rise, you may pick up infections more easily. This is because the abnormal white blood cells cannot fight off infection as well as healthy ones.

Bleeding or bruising

The extra white blood cells take up more space in the ​bone marrow​ as their numbers grow. So there is not enough room for platelets to be made. Platelets help to clot the blood, so you may have nosebleeds, unexplained bruising or unusually heavy periods. This is generally a later symptom of CLL, rather than an earlier one. Often bleeding and bruising happens in people who have a bleeding condition as well as CLL.

Feeling tired

You might feel more tired than normal, even if you're getting a good night's sleep. This could be because you do not have enough red blood cells (anaemia).

Anaemia

The lack of space in the bone marrow also interferes with the production of red blood cells. These normally help to carry oxygen around the body. If you do not have enough red blood cells, this is known as anaemia. You may feel breathless and tired. Anaemia is generally a later symptom of CLL.

Bone pain and night sweats

Some people whose CLL has changed (transformed) into a ​high grade​ disease have bone pain and night sweats. Bone pain happens because there are too many leukaemia cells in the bone marrow, causing pressure on nerves and causing pain. The exact cause of the night sweats is unknown.

What to do if you have these symptoms

Get tips on seeing your GP about your symptoms