Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaWhat is CLL?Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or CLL is a cancer of the bone marrow or blood.

It is characterized by the gradual increase in the number of white blood cells or lymphocytes in the bone marrow and blood, generally involving B cells.

Epidemiology & Risk FactorsIncidence white population >black populationmales >femalesMost prevalent form of leukemia in western worldCommon among elderlyAverage age of CLL patient: 75 yearscases in individuals 2x the risk of developing CLLSymptomsLymphadenopathyFatigue (anemia)FeverWeight loss/loss of appetiteFrequent infections

Night sweatsSplenomegalyBone painUnusual bleeding and bruising (later)

ComplicationsAutoimmune hemolytic anemialow RBC count as body attacks own RBCs

Immune thrombocytopenialow platelet count as body destroys its own platelets

Infections

Patients more like to develop other cancers (because of immunodepression)Clinical Staging of CLL

RaiStage 0Absolute lymphocytosis of>10,000/L in blood and30% lymphocytes in bone marrowStage IStage 0 plus enlarged lymph nodesStage IIStage 0 plus hepatomegaly or splenomegalyStage IIIStage 0 plus anemia with Hb