Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer in the bone marrow. CLL produces too many lymphocytes (white blood cells). In untreated leukemia, the white blood cell count is abnormally high.

How does it occur?

Blood cells grow in the bone marrow and are supposed to be fully-grown when they enter the bloodstream. There are 3 types of blood cells:

Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body.
White blood cells that fight infection and disease.
Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.

In CLL, too many immature cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.

The white blood cells in CLL are not able to fight infection very well. Also, as the CLL cells increase in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may result in infection, anemia, and easy bleeding.

Ninety percent of people who develop CLL are over age 50. It is more common in men than women. The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown.

What are the symptoms?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia often has few symptoms. In some people, the first signs of the disease are:

enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
a feeling of fullness in the upper left abdomen from an enlarged spleen
anemia
dizziness
unexplained bruising or bleeding
an infection that does not clear up or frequent infections
general fatigue
loss of appetite
weight loss
fever
increased sweating at night.

How is it diagnosed?

It is sometimes discovered when a blood test is done for some other reason. Blood tests will show an abnormally high white blood cell count.

How is it treated?

In the early stage of the disease you may not need treatment. Treatment is required when your lymph nodes, spleen, or liver is greatly enlarged or when the disease gets worse. Your health care provider will want to check you regularly. You may need to see a cancer specialist (oncologist).

When you need treatment, your provider may prescribe radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other kinds of medicines.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
Steroid medicine may help control the growth of CLL cells.
Monoclonal antibodies are artificial proteins. They may be infused into the body to attack specific proteins on the leukemic cells. They also help the body's immune system to destroy other leukemic cells.

If these treatments do not work well, a bone marrow transplant may be done. A bone marrow transplant injects the person with CLL with healthy marrow cells from a donor.

How long will the effects last?

The disease becomes worse over many years. Survival varies from 1 to 20 years, depending on the stage of disease when it is diagnosed and the growth rate of the malignant cells. Many people with CLL live normal lives for many years.

How can I take care of myself?

Check with your health care provider before taking other medicines, including nonprescription products or other forms of treatment.

Continue to eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise.

If you have a sore throat or fever, call your health care provider for advice. You may need immediate treatment.

It is important to have regular checkups and to follow your health care provider's advice about how to take care of yourself.

If several family members have had the disease, there is an increased risk of siblings, especially brothers, to have the disease. If you are at increased risk, you should have regular checkups.

For more information, contact the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 800-955-4572 or visit their Web site at http://www.leukemia.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CNC3520F.HTM Release 9.0/2006