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Causes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Main causes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

It's not clear what causes chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is rare, but it's more common:

  • as you get older – it's very rare in people under 40
  • if you're male
  • if someone in your family has had it
Information:

It's unlikely that your symptoms are caused by cancer, but it's important to get symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia checked by a GP.

Page last reviewed: 10 September 2026
Next review due: 10 September 2029