Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-ChecksPhysical ExaminationLabs and TestsImagingDifferential DiagnosisNext in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia GuideChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Prognosis and Outlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Self-Checks
Physical Examination
Labs and Tests
Imaging
Differential Diagnosis
Next in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Guide
Doctors will perform a battery of tests to diagnosechronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This usually slow-growing blood cancer affects specific white blood cells calledlymphocytes, which are produced in the bone marrow and are involved in immune functions.
In many people,early-stage CLLdoesn’t produce anynoticeable symptoms. Healthcare providers may only realize something is wrong after getting back abnormal routine blood test results. Healthcare providers who suspect CLL will perform further testing.
This article discusses the steps involved in diagnosing CLL.
simon’s photo / Getty Images
Self-Checks/At-Home Testing
There’s no reliable way to test for CLL at home. Many people who have this type of blood cancer may not even know they have it.
You may have no symptoms early on or experience vague, nonspecific symptoms that can be hard to attribute to one cause.
Doctors will usually ask you about your medical history, including:
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia SymptomsSymptoms of this type of blood cancer may include:Tiredness or feeling run-downRecurring infectionsSwollen lymph nodesA feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdomenEasy bleeding or bruisingFeverChillsWeight lossNight sweatsHowever, many people don’t have symptoms at the time of their initial diagnosis.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Symptoms
Symptoms of this type of blood cancer may include:Tiredness or feeling run-downRecurring infectionsSwollen lymph nodesA feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdomenEasy bleeding or bruisingFeverChillsWeight lossNight sweatsHowever, many people don’t have symptoms at the time of their initial diagnosis.
Symptoms of this type of blood cancer may include:
However, many people don’t have symptoms at the time of their initial diagnosis.
During the physical exam, your healthcare provider will also check forswollen lymph nodes.
They may also ask the following questions to determine whether you have any risk factors for CLL:
Healthcare providers may suspect CLL only after seeing the results of routine blood tests, particularly acomplete blood count (CBC). In this case, they may request further testing (such as ablood smear, a sample of blood tested on a specially treated slide) to check for or verify the presence of:
Bone marrow aspiration or biopsycan help healthcare providers determine how far advanced the cancer is and check whether you’re responding to treatment. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into a bone (often the hip) to remove some of the bone marrow to be analyzed in a lab.
Rarely, aspinal tap, in which a needle is used to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from your spinal canal, or a lymph node biopsy (removing a sample lymph node for testing) are used to determine the spread of CLL.
Additionally, healthcare providers may recommend genetic testing to check for chromosomal abnormalities (changes in the structures in the nuclei of cells that carry genes). This can help them determine which treatment might work best for your condition.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Prognosis and Outlook
Healthcare providers don’t typically use imaging tests to diagnose CLL. Still, they can use them to check whether the cancer has spread and to find out whether treatment is working:
Because many blood cancers present similarly and share symptoms, your healthcare provider may enlist the help of a hematopathologist, a doctor specializing in laboratory medicine, blood disorders, and blood cancer.
Other conditions with similar symptoms include:
Summary
They may also use genetic testing to confirm a diagnosis and help guide treatment options. A bone marrow biopsy and imaging can help doctors determine whether the cancer has spread.
Waiting for a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia can feel daunting. But keep in mind that CLL is typically a slow-growing cancer and medical professionals have many tools at their disposal to helpmanage and control the disease. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, your healthcare provider can help you determine the right treatment plan for your needs.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.American Cancer Society.How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed?American Cancer Society.What are the risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Related diseases.National Cancer Institute.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ)-Patient version. Updated September 20, 2021.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.American Cancer Society.How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed?American Cancer Society.What are the risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Related diseases.National Cancer Institute.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ)-Patient version. Updated September 20, 2021.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.American Cancer Society.How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed?American Cancer Society.What are the risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Related diseases.National Cancer Institute.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ)-Patient version. Updated September 20, 2021.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
American Cancer Society.How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed?
American Cancer Society.What are the risk factors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Related diseases.
National Cancer Institute.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ)-Patient version. Updated September 20, 2021.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
