Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow â the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.
The term "chronic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that it typically progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The term "lymphocytic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the cells affected by the disease â a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help your body fight infection.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia most commonly affects older adults. There are treatments to help control the disease.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia care at Mayo Clinic
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Many people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have no early symptoms. Those who do develop signs and symptoms may experience:
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Doctors aren't certain what starts the process that causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia. What's known is that something happens to cause a genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells. This mutation causes the blood cells to produce abnormal, ineffective lymphocytes.
Beyond being ineffective, these abnormal lymphocytes continue to live and multiply, when normal lymphocytes would die. The abnormal lymphocytes accumulate in the blood and certain organs, where they cause complications. They may crowd healthy cells out of the bone marrow and interfere with normal blood cell production.
Doctors and researchers are working to understand the exact mechanism that causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Tests and procedures used to diagnose chronic lymphocytic leukemia include blood tests designed to:
Determine the type of lymphocytes involved. A test called flow cytometry or immunophenotyping helps determine whether an increased number of lymphocytes is due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a different blood disorder or your body's reaction to another process, such as infection.
If chronic lymphocytic leukemia is present, flow cytometry may also help analyze the leukemia cells for characteristics that help predict how aggressive the cells are.
In some cases, your doctor may order additional tests and procedures to aid in diagnosis, such as:
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor determines the extent (stage) of your chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Your doctor will use information about your cancer to assign a stage â early, intermediate or advanced â that indicates the progression of your chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
In general, people with early-stage disease don't require immediate treatment. Those with intermediate-stage disease and advanced-stage disease may be given the option to begin treatment right away.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia may cause complications such as:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
No alternative treatments have been proved to cure chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Some alternative medicine therapies may help you cope with fatigue, which is commonly experienced by people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Your doctor can treat fatigue by controlling the underlying causes, but often medications alone aren't enough. You may find relief through alternative therapies, such as:
Talk to your doctor about your options. Together you can devise a plan to help you cope with fatigue.
A green tea extract has shown some promise in initial clinical trials for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Laboratory research determined that a compound in green tea extract, called EGCG, can kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. A study of people with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia found that EGCG in pill form reduced some signs of the disease. But green tea trials haven't been conclusive, and this subject requires more study before doctors can agree on the merits of this treatment.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is typically a slow-growing cancer that may not require treatment. While some people may refer to this as a "good" type of cancer, it doesn't really make receiving a cancer diagnosis any easier.
While you may initially be shocked and anxious about your diagnosis, you'll eventually find your own way of coping with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Until then, try to:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Factors that may increase the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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