Symptoms and Complications
The symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia usually develop gradually.
Early in the disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia generally has little effect on a person's well-being. It may only be discovered after an abnormal blood count shows up during the course of a routine medical exam, or while a person is being treated for an unrelated condition.
Usually, an elevated white blood cell count will be the clue that leads the doctor to consider a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Key early symptoms include:
- swollen lymph nodes - painless swellings in the neck, armpits, or groin areas
- fatigue, mainly due to anemia
- fever
- frequent infections
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- unusual bleeding and bruising (tends to occur later than earlier)
- night sweats
- pressure under the left ribs from enlargement of the spleen
- bone pain
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia affects people in different ways. Usually, its progression is slow, and some people survive for many years without treatment. In others, it may progress more rapidly and earlier treatment may be required.
Some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may develop complications such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia (low red blood cells due to their body attacking its own red blood cells), immune thrombocytopenia (low platelets due to their body destroying its own platelets), and infections. People who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia also seem to be more likely to develop other cancers. This is probably due to changes in their immune system.