Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained fatigue, abnormal bruising, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and recurring infections. Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health. CLL progresses slowly and is more common in the elderly.
Although many people don’t show symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), those who do typically develop large lymph nodes and experience unexplained fatigue and abnormal bruising. Other signs of CLL include fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite resulting in weight loss. Some patients may also suffer from recurring infections. Treatment options for this form of cancer depend on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health.
One of the first symptoms of this condition experienced by the patients is the enlarged lymph nodes. The nodes are swollen but usually not tender or painful to the touch. Painful swollen lymph nodes are sometimes treated with radiation.
Some people may experience pain in the upper left area of the abdomen, which is the result of an enlarged spleen that can also hinder the stomach from expanding. If the stomach cannot expand normally, the patient will soon feel full and may lose weight. If the liver is enlarged, the pain may migrate to the upper right area of the abdomen.
Fever and chills are additional symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with the body’s response to infection. The body turns hot and cold in an effort to fight off the disease. Fever can be quite frequent and night sweats can also become common.
Recurrent infections are common in people with CLL. This is because cancer affects lymphocytes, a group of white blood cells that help the body fight infection. It can take years for enough abnormal cells to build up and cause symptoms. In addition to fighting the symptoms, the patient may also have to ward off other diseases and further tax their immune system.
In the later stages of CLL, a patient may begin to feel very fatigued, possibly due to anemia. Also, abnormal bruising can occur due to a low platelet count.
The symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are general and can be associated with a wide variety of conditions, so they are often initially attributed to an infection or stress. Patients with symptoms that persist may have a simple blood test such as a complete blood count to determine white blood cell counts.
Most patients who experience early symptoms will not receive any treatment because studies have shown that early medical intervention does not prolong life. Because side effects can be difficult, treatment is usually reserved for the advanced stages. Traditional treatment options include chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy with rituximab and ofatumumab, and bone marrow stem cell transplantation. Transplant therapy is the most promising potential cure.
CLL is a type of bone marrow and blood cancer that generally progresses at a slower rate than other types of leukemia. The elderly are more likely to be affected, but any individual showing symptoms of this disease should see a doctor as soon as possible.
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