Signs & Symptoms


A symptom is anything unusual in a normal body function, appearance, or sensation that a patient experiences. Patients should report all of their symptoms to their doctor or nurse. Some patients with CLL do not experience any symptoms.

As the cancerous cells build up in the body, some people will start to notice symptoms.

  • Swollen but painless lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach or groin
  • Feeling very tired
  • Frequent fever and infection
  • Unexplained weight loss or night sweats.

Keep in mind that none of the symptoms listed are specific to CLL; these symptoms are also common to other illnesses.

During the visit with the doctor, you should describe all your symptoms. The doctor will ask detailed questions about medical history and perform a complete physical examination.

Signs are anything unusual that doctors or nurses notice when they examine their patients.

Frequently, a diagnosis is made when blood tests are performed as part of a routine annual check-up. An unexplained high lymphocyte count is the most common sign that leads a doctor to consider a CLL diagnosis.