Signs & symptoms

Because large granular lymphocytic leukaemia is a chronic disease that develops gradually the symptoms are not always obvious at first. Many patients will not have any symptoms at the time they are diagnosed – usually while having a routine blood test for some other illness.

The symptoms of large granular lymphocytic leukaemia are very non-specific and can be confused with those of other common illnesses such as flu. The most common symptoms include:

  • Frequent and persistent infections
  • Abdominal pain due to enlarged spleen

These symptoms are caused by a lack of healthy white cells in the blood. Patients may only experience some of these symptoms.

With LGLL an enlarged spleen is quite common. This can make your abdomen uncomfortable or painful.

Frequent infections – infections may be picked up more easily or recovery may be longer.

Reviewed April 2013

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