CLL treatments

Select a country to see country specific content

Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

CLL tends to progress slowly and many people with CLL may not experience symptoms for years. Symptoms of CLL can also be linked to many other conditions, making it difficult to self-detect the disease without proper testing.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Frequent infections
  • Anaemia: persistent tiredness, shortness of breath, and pale skin
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweat
  • Fever
  • Bleeding and bruising more easily than normal
  • Abdominal swelling and discomfort
  • Swollen glands in in the neck, armpits, and groin

CLL is often detected during routine check-ups and blood tests for other health problems, as the cancerous cells can be easily detected in the blood.

Unlike bowel or breast cancer, it’s not common practice to routinely screen for CLL, but it is important to contact your doctor as soon as you experience any of the mentioned symptoms or any other changes in your health.

References

National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis Accessed: November 2023.
Creakyjoints. Psoriatic arthritis flare-ups. Available at: https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-flare-ups/ Accessed: November 2023.
NHS. Psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/ Accessed: November 2023.
NHS. Psoriasis treatments. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/treatment/ Accessed: November 2023
Lee MP et al. Arthritis Care Res 2018;70(5): 791-6.
NICE. Apremilast for treating active psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta433 Accessed: November 2023
Versus Arthritis. Ciclosporin. Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23512/ciclosporin-information-booklet-april2021.pdf Accessed: November 2023
AAD. Psoriatic arthritis treatment. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/psoriatic-arthritis-treatment Accessed: November 2023
British Association of Dermatologists. Fumaric acid esters. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/dimethyl-fumarate/ Accessed: November 2023
Ceglowska U, et al. Value in Health 2014: PSS6.
Arthritis Foundation. NSAIDs. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/nsaids/nsaids Accessed: November 2023
NHS. Biological and biosimilar medicines. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/biological-and-biosimilar-medicines/ Accessed: November 2023
National Psoriasis Foundation. Biologics. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/biologics Accessed: November 2023
British Association of Dermatologists. Guidelines for biologic therapy for psoriasis. 2017. Accessed: November 2023.
Verywell Health. Treating psoriatic arthritis with JAK inhibitors. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/jak-inhibitors-psa-treatment-research-side-effects-4690551 Accessed: November 2023.
British Association of Dermatologists. Topical treatments for psoriasis. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/psoriasis-topical-treatments/ Accessed: November 2023.
GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: https://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=1584070677 Accessed: November 2023.