Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (patient information)
Editor-in-Chief: Jinhui Wu
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is Chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the second most common type of leukemia in adults. It often occurs during or after middle age and rarely occurs in children. This type of cancer starts from lymphocytes in the bone marrow and then invades the blood. Usually CLL does not cause any symptoms and is found during a routine blood test. Possible signs include swollen lymph nodes and tiredness. Treatments include bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, monoclonal antibodies, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
How do I know if I have Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and what are the symptoms of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Early kidney cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Fever and infection
- Night sweats
- Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin.
- Pain or fullness below the ribs.
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is related to several factors.
- Certain chemical exposures: Studies suggest that some herbicides and insecticides used in farming may increase the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Family history: Epidemic survey show that first-degree relatives of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients have an increased risk for this cancer.
- Gender: Clinical data show chronic lymphocytic leukemia is more common in men than women.
- Race: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is more common in North America and Europe than in Asia.
How to know you have Chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Prevention of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia depends on:
- Whether there is a change in the DNA and the type of change.
- Whether lymphocytes are spread throughout the bone marrow.
- The stage of the disease.
- Whether the CLL gets better with treatment or has recurred (come back).
- Whether the CLL progresses to lymphoma or prolymphocytic leukemia.
- The patient's general health.
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CLL/patient/