
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Twenty-five to fifty percent of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are usually asymptomatic with incidental absolute lymphocytosis finding on a routine blood examination. The onset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is insidious and can present with wide range of symptoms. Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include lymph node swelling and “B” symptoms including fever, weight loss, night sweats, fatigue and recurrent bleeding.
History
History
Although majority of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have non-specific history, a through, detailed history from the patient is necessary. Most of the patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are asymptomatic, so they are diagnosed incidentally on a routine blood examination.
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Painless lymph node enlargement (50-90%)
- Abdominal pain
- “B” symptoms (5-10%):[1]
- Fever
- Unintentional weight loss
- Muscle wasting
- Generalized weakness/ fatigue
- Anorexia
- Night sweats
- Recurrent infections
- Recurrent bleeding
- Skin lesions[4]
References
References
- β 1.0 1.1 Hallek M, Cheson BD, Catovsky D, Caligaris-Cappio F, Dighiero G, DΓΆhner H, Hillmen P, Keating M, Montserrat E, Chiorazzi N, Stilgenbauer S, Rai KR, Byrd JC, Eichhorst B, O’Brien S, Robak T, Seymour JF, Kipps TJ (June 2018). “iwCLL guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment, and supportive management of CLL”. Blood. 131 (25): 2745β2760. doi:10.1182/blood-2017-09-806398. PMIDΒ 29540348.
- β Rai KR, Sawitsky A, Cronkite EP, Chanana AD, Levy RN, Pasternack BS (August 1975). “Clinical staging of chronic lymphocytic leukemia”. Blood. 46 (2): 219β34. PMIDΒ 1139039.
- β Kipps TJ, Stevenson FK, Wu CJ, Croce CM, Packham G, Wierda WG, O’Brien S, Gribben J, Rai K (January 2017). “Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia”. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 3: 16096. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.96. PMCΒ 5336551. PMIDΒ 28102226.
- β Agnew KL, Ruchlemer R, Catovsky D, Matutes E, Bunker CB (June 2004). “Cutaneous findings in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia”. Br. J. Dermatol. 150 (6): 1129β35. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05982.x. PMIDΒ 15214899.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2]Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [3]
