Relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) occurs when the cancer returns after a person has been in remission for at least 6 months.
With relapsed CLL, a person may begin to experience symptoms again, and the condition may progress.
Treatments may help slow the progression and reduce symptom severity, leading to improved quality of life and longer life expectancy.
Keep reading for more information on relapsed CLL, including what it is, what can cause it, what treatments are available, and more.
“Relapsed CLL” means that CLL has returned after being in partial or complete remission for
In partial remission,
There is no cure for relapsed CLL. Treatments aim to help slow the progression of the disease and may also improve a person’s overall quality and length of life.
People who experience relapsed CLL are often older, although relapse can also occur in younger adults.
Learn more about cancer remission.
Relapsed CLL
It is unclear whether any specific lifestyle changes can increase or decrease a person’s risk of a CLL relapse.
Changes that
- stopping smoking
- making efforts to lose weight or avoid weight gain
- consuming a balanced diet
- getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
It is important for a person who is in remission to get regular checkups with a doctor to monitor their health. This can also help a doctor catch a potential relapse sooner.
Learn more about CLL and genetics.
CLL is a progressive disease. Treatments tend to slow down the progression, but relapse is likely at some point after treatment.
About 6% of people experience a relapse within 6 to 12 months after first-line chemoimmunotherapy treatment, and another 14% experience a relapse within 2 years.
Newer treatments may help increase the length of time before relapse occurs. In a 2023 clinical trial, researchers investigated ibrutinib and venetoclax as first-line therapies and found potential improvements in progression-free survival (the length of time a person lives with cancer without the cancer getting worse).
More research is necessary to determine whether certain treatments can reduce the likelihood of relapse.
CLL often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms occur, they may be the same as or different from the symptoms the person previously experienced with CLL.
Symptoms
- painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, stomach, neck, or underarm
- a weak or tired feeling
- easy bleeding or bruising
- a feeling of fullness or pain below the ribs
- fever
- infections
- unexplained weight loss
- drenching night sweats
- petechiae
It is important to contact a doctor as soon as a person experiences any new or worsening symptoms.
Learn more about the symptoms of relapsed CLL.
To diagnose a possible relapse of CLL, a doctor may first review a person’s symptoms.
They may then order diagnostic tests to check for the presence of CLL cells in the blood.
A peripheral blood smear with an absolute lymphocyte count of more than
A doctor will also likely order a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test, which helps show abnormalities in chromosomes.
In the case of relapse, a FISH test can help direct a person’s next treatment because it can show whether the CLL cells have changed at all.
Learn more about diagnosing CLL.
Several treatment options may help slow down the progression of relapsed CLL or lead to remission.
Possible treatments
- BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib
- venetoclax, an oral medication that is a type of selective inhibitor of BCL2
- PI3K inhibitors such as idelalisib and duvelisib
- chemotherapy
with or withoutTrusted Source rituximab - immunotherapy with or without rituximab
- radiation therapy
A person may also be able to get involved in a clinical trial. Clinical trials help test the effectiveness and safety of new treatment options. Not everyone qualifies for clinical trials, but a person can talk with their doctor to find out whether any trials may be available to them.
Learn more about CLL treatments.
The outlook for a person with relapsed CLL can vary depending on factors such as:
- which genetic mutation is present
- how soon after remission the relapse occurred
- how well the disease responds to treatments
- the person’s age
- the person’s overall health
A person’s doctor can provide them with more accurate information about their outlook based on their individual circumstances.
Learn about the outlook for CLL.
With relapsed CLL, a person experiences renewed symptoms and progression of the condition after at least 6 months of remission. During remission, a person has fewer or no symptoms.
With refractory CLL, remission does not happen after a person receives initial treatment.
Relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) occurs when CLL symptoms and progression return after a period of remission lasting at least 6 months.
Treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and improve a person’s quality of life, but they cannot cure the cancer.
It is important to contact a doctor if a person notices any new or returning symptoms. The doctor can evaluate symptoms, order tests, and advise on suitable treatments for relapsed CLL.
