Can Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Be Found Early?

For certain cancers, the American Cancer Society recommends screening tests in people without any symptoms, because they are easier to treat if found early. But for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) , no screening tests are routinely recommended at this time.

Many times, CLL is found when routine blood tests are done for other reasons. For instance, a person's white blood cell count may be very high, even though they don't have any symptoms.

If you notice any symptoms that could be caused by CLL, report them to your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Last Revised: May 10, 2018

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Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging