Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Stages

If you're diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the next step is to determine the cancer's extent, called the stage. Imaging tests and blood tests may be used to determine the stage of your chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Your healthcare team uses the cancer stage to help create your treatment plan.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia stages can use letters or numbers. In general, the earliest stages of cancer may not cause symptoms and don't need to be treated right away. People with cancer in the later stages may have symptoms and need treatment right away. The numbered stages include:

• Stage 0 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At stage 0, the number of lymphocytes in the blood is higher than usual. This is a condition known as lymphocytosis.
• Stage 1 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Stage 1 involves lymphocytosis with enlarged lymph nodes.
• Stage 2 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Stage 2 involves lymphocytosis with an enlarged spleen or liver. The lymph nodes also may be enlarged.
• Stage 3 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Stage 3 involves lymphocytosis and a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells, called anemia. Stage 3 also may include an enlarged spleen or liver and enlarged lymph nodes.
• Stage 4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Stage 4 involves lymphocytosis and a condition characterized by low platelet counts, called thrombocytopenia. Stage 4 also may include an enlarged spleen or liver, enlarged lymph nodes, and anemia.

The lettered stages include:

• Stage A is lymphocytosis with less than three lymph nodes regions involved.
• Stage B is lymphocytosis with three or more lymph node regions involved.
• Stage C is lymphocytosis with anemia or thrombocytopenia. The lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen may or may not be involved.