Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. With CLL, the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells called lymphocytes. This crowds out other blood cells. It can lead to problems with infections and bleeding.
CLL may be slow growing for many years and not cause problems. Some forms of CLL may be more serious.
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Cancer happens when cells divide without control or order.
The exact cause of CLL is not known. It is likely a combination of genes and environment.
CLL is more common in older adults. Other things that raise the risk are:
People with CLL often do not have symptoms for a few or many years. When symptoms happen, they may be:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may also check for swelling of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
Tests may include:
The exam and test results are used to diagnose the cancer. They are also used for staging. Staging outlines how far and fast cancer has spread.
Imaging tests will look at other body structures to see if the cancer has spread. Tests may be:
CLL cannot be cured. However, ongoing treatment can help many people to live for a long time.
Treatment depends on the person's age, health, and the type and stage of CLL. For low-risk CCL with no symptoms, the doctor may just monitor the disease. Some people go for many years before strong treatment is needed.
When symptoms appear, a combination of treatments may be used. They may include:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
Canadian Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.ca
Provincial Health Services Authority
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia.html. Accessed March 23, 2021.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll-small-lymphocytic-leukemia-sll . Accessed March 23, 2021.
General information about chronic lymphocytic leukemia. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/cll-treatment-pdq. Accessed March 23, 2021.
Hallek M, Shanafelt TD, Eichhorst B. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Lancet. 2018;391(10129):1524-1537.
Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP