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.

Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
Online Medical Reviewer: Todd Gersten MD

Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023