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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of blood cancer which develops when the body produces too many abnormal white blood cells, known as lymphocytes.

Last modified: February 25, 2022

Quick facts about chronic lymphocytic leukaemiaQuick facts

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starts when the bone marrow produces partly-mature white blood cells that grow and spread abnormally
  • The white blood cells that CLL affects are called lymphocytes. They move through a large network of tissues and organs called the lymphatic system and impact areas such as the lymph nodes, spleen and liver. Normal lymphocytes mature into B-cells and T-cells, which fight infection
  • Chronic leukaemia develops slowly and may take months or years for symptoms to start showing. Because of this, around 30 to 50% of people diagnosed with CLL never require treatment
  • Overall, leukaemia accounts for 3.7% of all cancer cases in Malaysia

Types of chronic lymphocytic leukaemiaTypes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CLL typically grows slowly, however sometimes CLL can be faster growing. There are two main types of CLL based on the lymphocytes they affect:

B-cell CLL T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia

B-cell CLL

B-cell CLL makes up over 95% of CLL cases. 1% of people will develop B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL), which tends to grow and spread faster

T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia

T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia is a fast growing type of CLL that makes up 1% of all cases

Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemiaSigns and symptoms

As signs and symptoms for CLL can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning with your doctor as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a CLL diagnosis.

Although CLL has no symptoms in many cases and is often diagnosed during routine blood tests, symptoms may include:

  • Tiredness

  • Night sweats

  • Repeated infections

  • High temperature

  • Unexplained weight loss 

  • Swollen, painless lymph nodes under the arms, neck or groin

  • Enlarged abdomen and feeling full after eating a small amount

  • Increased bleeding and bruising 

Stages of chronic lymphocytic leukaemiaStages

CLL is typically staged using the Binet system. The Binet system classifies CLL based on how many lymphoid tissue groups have been affected and the number of red blood cells and blood platelets you have.

Stage A Stage B Stage C

Stage A

Increased white blood cell count but under three enlarged lymph nodes

Stage B

Increased white blood cell count and three or more enlarged lymph nodes

Stage C

Increased white blood cell count and low red cell and/or platelets

Treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

There are many different types of treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about chronic lymphocytic leukaemia FAQs

Is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia hereditary?

CLL is not usually hereditary. However, there are rare cases where CLL can occur in families due to genetic abnormalities.

What causes chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

CLL is caused when changes develop in one or more genes (your DNA). The reason for this is not fully known. However, there are some factors which contribute to the risk of CLL developing, including:

  • Age – CLL rarely occurs in children
  • Gender – Men are twice as likely to develop CLL than women
  • Genetic abnormalities and family history – CLL develops when DNA changes promote cell growth and/or stop cells from dying at the right time. In rare cases, CLL can be passed down in families
  • Exposure to certain chemicals – Radon exposure can increase the risk of CLL
How is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia diagnosed?

There are many different tests that are used to diagnose CLL, alongside a physical examination. This may include blood tests to check your full blood count and determine if leukaemia cells are present, and a bone marrow biopsy to check for leukaemia cells within your bone marrow. In rare cases, a lymph node biopsy can also confirm the diagnosis of CLL. To see if the cancer has spread elsewhere, you may also have a CT scan, x-ray or ultrasound.

What is the difference between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)?

CLL and CML are two forms of chronic leukaemia that develop from different types of white blood cells. CLL develops from lymphocytes such as B-cells and T-cells, while CML develops from myeloid cells called granulocytes.

What can I do to decrease my risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

There is no known way to prevent CLL. However, there are a number of lifestyle-related factors you can consider to reduce your risk of developing cancer overall, like:

  • Getting regular exercise – At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet – Eat a fibre-rich diet from grain and legume sources, as well as enjoy a variety of fruit (2 serves) and vegetables (5 serves) per day, limit your intake of salt, saturated fats, and avoid all processed meat

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ReferencesReferences

For a full list of references, click here.
  1. Institute Kanser Negara. (2023). Summary of Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report 2012-2016. Retrieved on 4 October 2023 from https://nci.moh.gov.my/index.php/ms/pengumuman/789-summary-of-malaysian-national-cancer-registry-report-2012-2016
  2. World Health Organisation, The Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Retrieved on 3 November 2023 https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/458-malaysia-fact-sheets.pdf
  3. MyHEALTH Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Retrieved on 10 November 2023. http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/leukemia-2/
  4. (2021). Clinical Trial Landscape of CLL in Asia-Pacific. Retrieved on 20 January 2022 from https://novotech-cro.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/Clinical-Trials%20Landscape%20APAC.pdf
  5. Leukaemia Foundation. (2020). Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Retrieved 12 January 2022 from https://www.leukaemia.org.au/blood-cancer-information/types-of-blood-cancer/leukaemia/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/
  6. Cancer Council. (2020). Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Retrieved 12 January 2022 from
  7. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/
  8. American Cancer Society. (2018). About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Retrieved 12 January 2022 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about.html
  9. American Cancer Society. (2018). Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention. Retrieved 12 January 2022 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/causes-risks-prevention.html
  10. American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2017). Leukemia – Chronic Lymphocytic – CLL: Introduction. Retrieved 12 January 2022 from https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/introduction
  11. (2021). Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Retrieved 12 January 2022 from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-cll#what-is
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