Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

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Antibodies

Auer rods

Bone marrow aspiration

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - microscopic view

CLL; Leukemia - chronic lymphocytic (CLL)

Early stage disease often requires no specific treatment, but it is important to be closely monitored by your doctor.

Chemotherapy may be needed if fatigue, anemia , thrombocytopenia , or lymph node swelling occurs. Several chemotherapy drugs are commonly used to treat CLL. A common drug used is chlorambucil (Leukeran). Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) may also be used.

Rituximab (Rituxan), may also be used alone or in combination with traditional chemotherapy. Alemtuzumab (Campath) is approved for treatment of patients with CLL that have not responded to fludarabine.

Rarely, radiation may be used for enlarged lymph nodes. Blood transfusions or platelet transfusions may be required. Stem cell transplantation may be used in advances stages of CLL.

The stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

The outlook depends on the stage of the disease. Half of patients diagnosed in the earliest stages of the disease live more than 12 years. Several new tests that look at cell and genetic changes can help predict life expectancy.

• Hypogammaglobulinemia (reduced levels of antibodies) -- increases the risk of infection
• Other cancer
• Side effects of chemotherapy
• Bleeding from low platelets
• Fatigue from anemia
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

Call health care provider if you develop enlarged lymph nodes or unexplained fatigue, bruising, excessive sweating, or weight loss.

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.