What is CLL?EpidemiologyRisk FactorsSigns and SymptomsComplicationsCharacteristics of CLL cellClinical StagingPathophysiologyImmunologyDiagnosisTreatmentsChemothereapyStem-cell Transplantation
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
