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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Symptoms

What are the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Many people don’t have any symptoms when they're diagnosed with CLL. It's often found when blood tests are done for another reason and show too many white blood cells. If CLL does cause symptoms, they can include: 

  • Feeling very tired (fatigue)

  • Feeling weak

  • Fever

  • Chills

  • Night sweats

  • Shortness of breath

  • Frequent infections

  • Swollen lymph nodes, often felt as lumps under the skin in the neck, armpit, or groin

  • Pain or a sense of fullness in the belly (abdomen), from an enlarged spleen

  • Weight loss

  • Bleeding or bruising easily

When to see your healthcare provider

Many of these symptoms may be caused by other, more common health problems. But it's still important to see a healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have CLL or another problem that needs to be treated.

Medical Reviewers:

  • Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
  • Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
  • Todd Gersten MD