Early signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: when to seek help

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a long-term cancer that affects the blood, bone marrow, and white blood cells. It can take many years to progress, and the symptoms are not always obvious, which means patients with this cancer may not notice they are ill until it is quite far along. In this article, a distinguished consultant haemato- and medical oncologist goes over the early signs of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) normally occurs in people over the age of 60 years old, and very rarely in those under 40 years old. The cause of it is unknown, but the risk of CLL is higher in those with a family history of bone or blood cancers, and in men of European descent more than any other race or sex.

The symptoms that are associated with CLL are quite ubiquitous, especially in ageing people, and because of that, it may go undiagnosed until later stages when the patient is quite ill and affected. The most notable symptom is that the lymph nodes are swollen – but this also happens during a cold, the flu, sinusitis, or strep throat, hence why diagnosis in the early stages isn’t often. Found in the upper torso and groin areas, lymph nodes are small round glands that are part of the immune system and filter through the lymphatic fluid. The nodes contain white blood cells (lymphocytes) which are used to fight any antigens and harmful cells that are in the fluid.

What are the signs of Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

In the UK, the progression of CLL is measured in stages with a system called the Binet system. There are three stages, which are determined by how many lymph nodes are swollen, as well as the number of red blood cells and platelets. The stages are as follows:

• stage A is when there are fewer than three groups of swollen lymph nodes
• stage B is when there are three or more groups of swollen lymph nodes
• stage C is when there is a low number of red blood cells or platelets as well as three or more groups of swollen lymph nodes

At stage A, the only symptom likely to manifest is the swelling of a few lymph nodes, which makes it easy to miss. Even at stage B, where there are more groups of swollen lymph nodes, it is also a symptom found in sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis or HIV, in autoimmune diseases like lupus, or infections like measles.

Aside from the swelling of lymph nodes under the armpit or in the neck, some other symptoms that can be present at different stages of CLL are:

• susceptibility to frequent illness or infection
• unusual weight loss
• chronic fatigue
• night sweats
• bodily pains and aches
• high temperature
• easily bruising
• shortness of breath
• anaemia

How is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia diagnosed?

Blood tests are the primary way to diagnose CLL. They can be used to do a blood cell count, determine the type of lymphocytes present in the blood (immunotyping), or analyse the lymphocytes for genetic changes (fluorescence in situ hybridisation test). If the doctor needs further confirmation, they may conduct imaging tests like a CT or PET scan to visualise the condition of the nodes. Or they may perform a biopsy of the bone marrow to assess its condition.

It is important to note that, at the moment, there is no cure for CLL. Diagnosis and treatment are mostly to slow the progression of the cancer and ensure the patient’s comfort. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin and the better the prognosis will look, and the patient can live for many years with minimal complications. That is why it is important to get a check-up if you notice your lymph nodes are swollen chronically and you have any of the aforementioned symptoms. A quick, standard blood test can easily initiate the diagnosis and treatment process for CLL.

If you are concerned about swollen lymph nodes, consult with a specialist today via Top Doctors.