Your Dr is not waiting for tumors to form. Your lymph nodes may get larger but no tumors. When your blood work shows that levels have reached a certain point, he will probably start treatment then. Watch and wait could last for years. I was diagnosed with CLL in August of 2019 then started treatment in May of 2020. I take an oral treatment Calquence. My main side effect is fatigue but it's getting better. Write a list of questions to take with you when you see your Dr and they should answer your concerns. Faith in your Dr is very important

My understanding is that CLL cells don't readily metasticize so early treatment has no payoff. It stays in the blood and mostly leaves non blood cells unaffected.

I agree about worrying about CLL spreading through my body also! I just keep reminding myself that other types of cancer are so much worse.

I was wondering the same thing to that question. I’m not complaining about watch and wait but it’s also caused me a great deal of anxiety now because every ache and pain I get I’m wondering if it’s the CLL going through my body. I have a hard time relaxing and getting it off my mind.

I was diagnosed in 2007. On w&w for 11 years until fall of 2018. Then began treatment with imbruvica.