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At present, with current treatment options, CLL can't be cured… but most patients are able to lead a normal (or near-normal) life, often for many years.
CLL mainly affects elderly people. Because the disease progresses slowly, patients may well die of old age or a condition not related to their CLL. At times when the CLL isn't active, quality of life can be very good.
If you have CLL and it is not causing problems such as enlarged spleen or lymph nodes, you are unlikely to need any active treatment. Instead, your GP or hospital clinic will check on you from time to time.
If your CLL starts to cause problems, your doctor is likely to offer you chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses special drugs to kill cancer cells.
There are several treatments available, including Chlorambucil tablets and newer drugs such as Fludarabine. The Medical Research Council is now evaluating these different forms of treatment in a clinical trial.
Your doctors will tell you about the risks, benefits and side effects of your options. You will need to agree to the treatment before it can start. This is called giving your consent. Don't be afraid to ask questions if there is anything you don't understand.
For more information about treatments, go to our cancer treatments section.
