Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

CLL is a type of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. CLL affects a lymphocyte that originates in the bone marrow and normally fights infection. When the DNA of these cells is damaged they lose their ability to fight infection and begin to grow out of control, crowding out healthy blood cells.

Symptoms

CLL occurs almost exclusively in adults, and most people are diagnosed without first presenting symptoms. The majority of people are diagnosed when a blood test reveals abnormally high counts of white blood cells. As the disease advances it presents with swollen lymph nodes, spleen and liver, as well as increased rates of infection.

Treatment Options

While there is currently no cure for CLL, the disease generally progresses slowly. In fact, most patients exhibit no symptoms for years or even decades, and often the only medical action taken is to closely monitor the disease. The decision to begin treatment for the disease begins when the patient's quality of life is affected. The goal of treatment is on controlling symptoms and improving quality of life. Initial treaments depend greatly on the progression of the disease and the individual patient. There are a variety of therapies available including blood growth and therapy products, drug therapy, chemotherapy, and, increasingly, allogenic stem cell transplantation. Survival varies from 5 years to more than 25 years.

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