What is large granular lymphocytic leukaemia?

Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of chronic leukaemia meaning it develops slowly, often over many years. It affects a type of white blood cell called T-cells.

What are the signs and 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.

What causes it?

There is no single factor known to cause large granular lymphocytic leukaemia. In most cases it is probably due to a combination of different factors.

Around one third of patients with large granular lymphocytic leukaemia also have rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting a link between the two conditions.

How common is large granular lymphocytic leukaemia?

Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia is very rare and accounts for only a small percentage of all leukaemias.

Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia is more common in women.