Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are found in the bone marrow and other parts of the body. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.
CLL causes a slow increase in a certain type of white blood cells called B lymphocytes, or B cells. Cancer cells spread through the blood and bone marrow. CLL can also affect the lymph nodes or other organs such as the liver and spleen. CLL eventually can cause the bone marrow to lose its function.
Causes
The cause of CLL is unknown. There is no link to radiation exposure. It is unclear if certain chemicals can cause CLL. Exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War has been linked to a slight increased risk for developing CLL.
CLL usually affects older adults, especially those over age 60. People under age 45 rarely develop CLL. CLL is more common in white people than in people of other races. It is more common in men than in women. Some people with CLL have family members with the disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop slowly. CLL often does not cause symptoms at first. It may be found by blood tests done in people for other reasons.
Symptoms of CLL may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen
Enlarged lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Excessive sweating, night sweats
Excessive sweating
Sweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Fever
- Infections that keep coming back (recur), despite treatment
- Loss of appetite or becoming full too quickly (early satiety)
Loss of appetite
A decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Weight loss
Weight loss
Unexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...
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Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.
Tests to diagnose CLL may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC) with blood cell differential.
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood cell differential
The blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Flow cytometry test of the white blood cells.
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is used to look at and count genes or chromosomes. This test may help diagnose CLL or guide treatment.
- Testing for other gene changes may help predict how well the cancer will respond to treatment.
People with CLL usually have a high white blood cell count.
White blood cell count
A WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTests that look at changes in the DNA inside the cancer cells may also be done. Results from these tests and from staging tests help your provider determine your treatment.
Treatment
If you have early stage CLL, your provider will just monitor you closely. Treatment is not generally given for early-stage CLL, unless you have:
- Infections that keep coming back
- Leukemia that is rapidly getting worse
- Low red blood cell or platelet counts
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, or night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes
Targeted therapy and sometimes chemotherapy are used to treat CLL. Your provider will determine which type of medicines are right for you.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses medicines to stop cancer from growing and spreading. It does this with less harm to normal cells than other treatments. Stand...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleChemotherapy
The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood transfusions or platelet transfusions may be required if blood counts are low.
Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may be used in younger people with advanced or high-risk CLL. A transplant is the only therapy that offers a potential cure for CLL, but it also has risks. Your provider will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Bone marrow
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYou and your provider may need to manage other concerns during your leukemia treatment, including:
- Managing your pets during chemotherapy
Managing your pets
If you have a weak immune system, having a pet can put you at risk for serious illness from diseases that can spread from animals to humans. Learn w...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Bleeding problems
Bleeding problems
Your bone marrow makes cells called platelets. These cells keep you from bleeding too much by helping your blood clot. Chemotherapy, radiation, and...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Dry mouth
Dry mouth
Some cancer treatments and medicines can cause dry mouth. Take good care of your mouth during your cancer treatment. Follow the measures outlined b...
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Eating enough calories
If you are sick or undergoing cancer treatment, you may not feel like eating. But it is important to get enough protein and calories so you do not l...
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Safe eating
When you have cancer, you need good nutrition to help keep your body strong. To do this, you need to be aware of the foods you eat and how you prepa...
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Support Groups
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
Cancer support group
The following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOutlook (Prognosis)
Your provider can discuss with you the outlook of your CLL based on its stage and how well it responds to treatment.
Possible Complications
Complications of CLL and its treatment may include:
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to the body's tissues. Red bloo...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Bleeding from low platelet count.
- Hypogammaglobulinemia, a condition in which there is a lower level of antibodies than normal, which can increase the risk of infection.
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a bleeding disorder.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clot...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infections that keep coming back (recur).
- Fatigue that can range from mild to severe.
- Other cancers, including a much more aggressive lymphoma (Richter transformation).
- Side effects of targeted therapy and chemotherapy.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you develop enlarged lymph nodes or unexplained fatigue, bruising, excessive sweating, or weight loss.
Reviewed By
Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Awan FT, Byrd JC. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff''s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 99.
National Cancer Institute website. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/hp/cll-treatment-pdq. Updated December 8, 2023. Accessed May 7, 2024.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Version 3. 2024. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cll.pdf. Updated March 26, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024.