Don’t fight Chronic lymphocytic leukemia alone.
Find your community on the free RareGuru App.Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). It begins in the stem cells of the bone marrow and then spreads to the blood. Over time, CLL may also spread to the lymph nodes and other organs, including the liver, spleen and lungs. Early signs and symptoms of CLL may include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, night sweats and/or frequent infections. The underlying cause of CLL is unknown. It usually occurs in people with no family history of the condition, but familial cases have been reported. Treatment options depend on many factors, including the stage of the condition, blood cell counts, and whether the CLL has recurred (come back). Treatment may not be necessary until a person develops symptoms or there is other evidence of rapid cancer progression. The chance of recovery and life expectancy vary from person to person. While most people with CLL live at least 5 to 10 years, some do not survive more than 2 to 3 years after the diagnosis.
Source: GARD Last updated on 05-01-20
Many people with CLL have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. In these cases, the condition is often found incidentally (by chance) during a routine blood test. Symptoms usually develop slowly, although CLL can progress quickly in rare cases.
The signs and symptoms of CLL vary, but may include:
Last updated on 05-01-20
The underlying cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is not known. It is believed that CLL occurs following a pre-cancerous condition known as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). However, MBL is present in 5 to 15 percent of people over the age of 60. It is not known why a very small percentage of people with MBL develop CLL.
While familial cases have been reported, no genes directly responsible for CLL have been identified. Scientists are studying specific regions of chromosomes to see if some people may inherit a genetic susceptibility to developing CLL.
Some factors appear to increase a person's risk for CLL. It is important to note that having one or more risk factors does not mean that a person will definitely develop CLL. Most people with risk factors will not develop CLL. Risk factors may include:
Last updated on 05-01-20
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is often first suspected incidentally (by chance) during a routine blood test. In some cases, signs and symptoms suggest that a person might have CLL, but tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. The tests that are needed may differ from person to person.
Blood tests that may be used to confirm a diagnosis of CLL include:
While blood tests are often enough to diagnose CLL, other types of tests may be used for further confirmation, to see how advanced the cancer is, and/or predict a person's prognosis (outlook). These may include:
Last updated on 05-01-20
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is generally considered an acquired condition and usually occurs in people with no family history of CLL. However, familial cases have been reported. CLL and other cancers affecting the lymph system and blood occur more frequently in first-degree relatives of people with CLL than in the general population. There is currently no proof that CLL itself is inherited, but certain genes (or combinations of genes) may predispose a person to familial cancer, including CLL. A number different chromosomal regions are being studied to identify possible susceptibility genes for familial CLL. Having a genetic predisposition or susceptibility does not mean that a person will definitely develop CLL or another type of cancer; it means a person has an increased risk to develop cancer.
While cancer cells in CLL are found to have genetic changes or mutations, these changes are acquired (not inherited) and are limited to the cancer cells. They are called somatic mutations and are not passed on from parent to child.
Last updated on 05-01-20
The chance of recovery and life expectancy for each person depends on many factors. These include:
Most people diagnosed with CLL live 5 to 10 years. Often there are few health issues for several years, followed by 1 to 2 years of progressive disease. During this time, quality of life is diminished due to both the condition and complications of treatment. About half of people diagnosed in the early stages live more than 12 years. Lastly, some people do not survive more than 2 to 3 years after the diagnosis due to complications from CLL.
Last updated on 05-01-20
The best treatment for each person with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) depends on many factors, including whether a person has symptoms, the stage of the condition, results of various tests, and whether the CLL has recurred (come back). For example, people with early stage CLL who have no symptoms may simply be closely monitored by their doctor without any treatment (watchful waiting). When a person develops symptoms, or there are signs the cancer has progressed, treatment options may include:
More information about the treatment of CLL can be viewed on the National Cancer Institute's page about CLL treatment.
Last updated on 05-01-20
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