Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Most patients have no symptoms when diagnosed. In the few cases in which the disease causes some symptoms, they are usually tiredness (due to anaemia); a tendency to bleeding (due to a reduction in platelet count), weight loss (in rare cases); excessive sweating and fever/slight fever without apparent cause. Leukaemia also makes infections more likely.

In a small percentage, patients are pale (due to anaemia), have multiple bruises (due to a reduced platelet count) and “lumps” on their necks, armpits or groin (due to the growth of lymph nodes). The spleen can also grow in size, which may result in discomfort on the left side of the abdomen.