&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;223&quot; data-end=&quot;280&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;282&quot; data-end=&quot;548&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chronic lymphocytic leukemia &amp;mdash; often shortened to &lt;strong data-start=&quot;332&quot; data-end=&quot;339&quot;&gt;CLL&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; is a type of &lt;strong data-start=&quot;355&quot; data-end=&quot;371&quot;&gt;blood cancer&lt;/strong&gt; that affects certain white blood cells called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;418&quot; data-end=&quot;433&quot;&gt;lymphocytes&lt;/strong&gt;. These cells are part of your immune system, and their job is to help your body fight infections and stay healthy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;550&quot; data-end=&quot;859&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In CLL, some of these lymphocytes don&amp;rsquo;t behave the way they&amp;rsquo;re supposed to. Instead of growing, doing their job, and then making room for new cells, they &lt;strong data-start=&quot;704&quot; data-end=&quot;749&quot;&gt;stick around too long and slowly build up&lt;/strong&gt;. Over time, these extra cells can crowd out healthy blood cells and affect how well your immune system works.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;550&quot; data-end=&quot;859&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;866&quot; data-end=&quot;900&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Is It Called &amp;ldquo;Chronic&amp;rdquo;?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;901&quot; data-end=&quot;1138&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The word &lt;em data-start=&quot;910&quot; data-end=&quot;919&quot;&gt;chronic&lt;/em&gt; simply means &lt;strong data-start=&quot;933&quot; data-end=&quot;948&quot;&gt;slow-moving&lt;/strong&gt;. Unlike some leukemias that progress quickly and cause symptoms right away, CLL usually develops &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1046&quot; data-end=&quot;1064&quot;&gt;very gradually&lt;/strong&gt;. Many people live with it for years before it causes noticeable problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1140&quot; data-end=&quot;1346&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This slow pace is actually important &amp;mdash; and often reassuring. It means there&amp;rsquo;s usually time to monitor changes carefully, make thoughtful decisions, and avoid rushing into treatment unless it&amp;rsquo;s truly needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1140&quot; data-end=&quot;1346&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1353&quot; data-end=&quot;1381&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Where Does CLL Start?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1382&quot; data-end=&quot;1703&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;CLL begins in the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1400&quot; data-end=&quot;1415&quot;&gt;bone marrow&lt;/strong&gt;, where blood cells are made. It affects a specific type of lymphocyte called a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1495&quot; data-end=&quot;1505&quot;&gt;B cell&lt;/strong&gt;. These cells normally help protect you by making antibodies. In CLL, however, the abnormal B cells don&amp;rsquo;t work properly and start to pile up in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, or liver.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1705&quot; data-end=&quot;1779&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;As these cells build up, they can slowly interfere with the production of:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1782&quot; data-end=&quot;1809&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Healthy white blood cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1812&quot; data-end=&quot;1829&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Red blood cells&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1832&quot; data-end=&quot;1843&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Platelets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1845&quot; data-end=&quot;1920&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This explains why symptoms may eventually appear &amp;mdash; but it often takes time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1845&quot; data-end=&quot;1920&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1927&quot; data-end=&quot;1950&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes CLL?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1951&quot; data-end=&quot;2144&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Doctors don&amp;rsquo;t know exactly why CLL starts, but they do know it&amp;rsquo;s linked to &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2026&quot; data-end=&quot;2048&quot;&gt;changes in the DNA&lt;/strong&gt; of lymphocytes. These changes aren&amp;rsquo;t something you cause &amp;mdash; and they&amp;rsquo;re usually not preventable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2146&quot; data-end=&quot;2223&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Certain factors are linked with a higher chance of developing CLL, including:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2226&quot; data-end=&quot;2274&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2226&quot; data-end=&quot;2239&quot;&gt;Older age&lt;/strong&gt; (it&amp;rsquo;s most common after age 55&amp;ndash;65)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2277&quot; data-end=&quot;2324&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2277&quot; data-end=&quot;2295&quot;&gt;Family history&lt;/strong&gt; of leukemia or blood cancers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2327&quot; data-end=&quot;2339&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2327&quot; data-end=&quot;2339&quot;&gt;Male sex&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2342&quot; data-end=&quot;2387&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Exposure to certain chemicals (in some cases)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2389&quot; data-end=&quot;2478&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most people with CLL don&amp;rsquo;t have a clear reason why it developed &amp;mdash; and that&amp;rsquo;s very common.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2389&quot; data-end=&quot;2478&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2485&quot; data-end=&quot;2515&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is CLL Often Found?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2516&quot; data-end=&quot;2765&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;One of the most surprising things about CLL is that many people &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2580&quot; data-end=&quot;2604&quot;&gt;feel completely well&lt;/strong&gt; when it&amp;rsquo;s first discovered. It&amp;rsquo;s often found during a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2659&quot; data-end=&quot;2681&quot;&gt;routine blood test&lt;/strong&gt; done for another reason, when a higher-than-normal white blood cell count shows up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2767&quot; data-end=&quot;2895&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because of this, CLL is sometimes diagnosed long before symptoms begin &amp;mdash; which gives healthcare providers a valuable head start.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2767&quot; data-end=&quot;2895&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2902&quot; data-end=&quot;2943&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Living With a Slow-Moving Condition&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2944&quot; data-end=&quot;3113&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Not everyone with CLL needs treatment right away. In fact, many people are safely managed with a plan called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3053&quot; data-end=&quot;3073&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;watch and wait&amp;rdquo;&lt;/strong&gt; or &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3077&quot; data-end=&quot;3100&quot;&gt;active surveillance&lt;/strong&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2944&quot; data-end=&quot;3113&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This means:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3116&quot; data-end=&quot;3132&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Regular checkups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3135&quot; data-end=&quot;3154&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Routine blood tests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3157&quot; data-end=&quot;3187&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Careful monitoring for changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3189&quot; data-end=&quot;3284&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This approach helps avoid unnecessary treatment while still keeping a close eye on your health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3189&quot; data-end=&quot;3284&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3291&quot; data-end=&quot;3318&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Big Picture Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3319&quot; data-end=&quot;3595&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;CLL is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3328&quot; data-end=&quot;3357&quot;&gt;common leukemia in adults&lt;/strong&gt; and is usually slow-growing. Many people live full, active lives with CLL, especially when it&amp;rsquo;s caught early and monitored closely. Understanding what&amp;rsquo;s happening in your body helps you feel more in control &amp;mdash; and that&amp;rsquo;s a powerful thing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3319&quot; data-end=&quot;3595&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;2016&quot; data-end=&quot;2064&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms, Signs &amp;amp; When to Get Checked&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2066&quot; data-end=&quot;2128&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Signs Your Body Might Be Telling You Something&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2129&quot; data-end=&quot;2245&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;Since CLL grows slowly, symptoms can be subtle or vague at first. Here are signs that may show up as CLL progresses:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2249&quot; data-end=&quot;2308&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2249&quot; data-end=&quot;2274&quot;&gt;Feeling tired or weak&lt;/strong&gt; even after a good night&amp;rsquo;s sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2311&quot; data-end=&quot;2381&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2311&quot; data-end=&quot;2334&quot;&gt;Swollen lymph nodes&lt;/strong&gt;, especially in the neck, underarms, or groin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2384&quot; data-end=&quot;2459&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2384&quot; data-end=&quot;2407&quot;&gt;Frequent infections&lt;/strong&gt; or infections that stick around longer than usual&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2462&quot; data-end=&quot;2496&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2462&quot; data-end=&quot;2471&quot;&gt;Fever&lt;/strong&gt; without a clear reason&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2499&quot; data-end=&quot;2539&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2499&quot; data-end=&quot;2515&quot;&gt;Night sweats&lt;/strong&gt; that soak your sheets&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2542&quot; data-end=&quot;2571&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2542&quot; data-end=&quot;2569&quot;&gt;Unexplained weight loss&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2574&quot; data-end=&quot;2643&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2574&quot; data-end=&quot;2603&quot;&gt;Easy bruising or bleeding&lt;/strong&gt;, including nosebleeds or gum bleeding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2646&quot; data-end=&quot;2756&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A &lt;em data-start=&quot;2648&quot; data-end=&quot;2654&quot;&gt;full&lt;/em&gt; feeling or discomfort under your ribs (from an enlarged spleen)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2758&quot; data-end=&quot;3044&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These symptoms happen for a reason: the abnormal immune cells can crowd out healthy blood cells, which leads to fewer red blood cells (causing fatigue), fewer platelets (causing bleeding), and fewer normal white blood cells (leading to infections).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2758&quot; data-end=&quot;3044&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3046&quot; data-end=&quot;3095&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When Should You See a Healthcare Provider?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3097&quot; data-end=&quot;3151&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s a good idea to make an appointment if you notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3154&quot; data-end=&quot;3172&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Persistent fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3175&quot; data-end=&quot;3218&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unexplained lumps in your neck or underarms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3221&quot; data-end=&quot;3278&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fever, weight loss, or night sweats without a clear cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3280&quot; data-end=&quot;3418&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even subtle changes can be meaningful &amp;mdash; and addressing them early gives your care team more options.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3280&quot; data-end=&quot;3418&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3420&quot; data-end=&quot;3445&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Happens Next?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3447&quot; data-end=&quot;3784&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If your clinician suspects CLL, they&amp;rsquo;ll likely start with a simple blood test that checks your white cell counts. Sometimes CLL is found before symptoms ever show up. In those cases, doctors may recommend a &amp;ldquo;watch and wait&amp;rdquo; plan &amp;mdash; which means keeping a close eye on things before starting treatment.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3786&quot; data-end=&quot;4053&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;CLL isn&amp;rsquo;t always an immediate emergency. Many people live with it for years and only start treatment when symptoms show up or change. Treatment options today are better than ever, and ongoing care can really help you live well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3786&quot; data-end=&quot;4053&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4060&quot; data-end=&quot;4082&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Summary&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4084&quot; data-end=&quot;4441&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4118&quot; data-end=&quot;4154&quot;&gt;slow-moving type of blood cancer&lt;/strong&gt; that often starts without symptoms. It can be discovered during routine blood tests and may be watched closely before treatment begins. Knowing the signs &amp;mdash; like fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or frequent infections &amp;mdash; can help you and your healthcare provider act wisely and in good time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4084&quot; data-end=&quot;4441&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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