Its slow-growing and mainly affects older adults.
The cancerous cells may look like normal cells but dont work as well.
They also live longer than healthy cells, so they eventually crowd out normal cells.
Marjan_Apostolovic / Getty Images
Abone marrow transplantis the only cure but is not often the best treatment choice.
Many people live with this cancer until they die of other causes.
Acute vs.
Specifically, CLL differs fromacute lymphoblastic leukemiabecause of how mature the cancer cells are.
Chronic leukemia cells mature partly and look more like normal white blood cells than other leukemia cells.
Acute leukemias have cancer cells that look more immature, wild, and defective.
Chronic leukemias are slow-growing but are more complicated to cure than acute leukemias.
CLL often affects older adults.
(The terms for sex or gender from the cited source are used.)
Symptoms: Do I Have Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Most of the time, people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia do not have symptoms.
Its often found based on blood tests done for other reasons.
They live longer than they should and crowd out normal cells.
As the bodys abnormal white blood cells build up, so do the signs and symptoms of advanced CLL.
Red blood cell and platelet counts drop, and normal white blood cells die off.
It may also causeautoimmune hemolytic anemia, in which the antibodies attack and destroy red blood cells.
How Successful Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment?
Many people withCLL do not die of it.
In one-third to one-half of cases, infections may kill the person before the cancer does.
Staging is a way of comparing cancers, treatments, and predictions and is determined during diagnosis.
There are two different staging systems used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The Binet staging system is more common in Europe.
It classifies chronic lymphocytic leukemia by the lymphoid tissue groups affected.
This includes the neck lymph nodes, groin lymph nodes, underarm lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.
It also takes into account anemia and thrombocytopenia.
The stages are A, B, and C, by how advanced the disease is.
Other Factors in Prognosis
Other factors play a role in a persons prognosis.
Research has shown that treating this cancer early does not help people live longer.
When they need treatment, the first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has long been chemotherapy-immunotherapy.
However, new targeted therapies have been developed.
You may also need surgeries (likespleen removal) or radiation to reduce symptoms.
New, targeted therapies called Brutontyrosine kinaseinhibitors significantly affect survival and quality of life.
Healthcare providers test new drugs and new drug combinations in clinical trials.
Clinical trials should be a treatment option for anyone with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Researchers are still studying the impact of these targeted therapies on survival, but their impact seems significant.
Targeted therapies are more effective at prolonging progression-free survival than chemotherapy.
Researchers are still studying the remission rates for these newer targeted therapies.
How many people eventually relapse and require a new bang out of treatment is still unknown.
Self-Care With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Most people live with CLL for many years.
About one-third will live out their lives and die from other causes without needing treatment.
The rest will need treatment eventually, sometimes for years.
Treatment, especially with chemotherapy, may stop for a while, but it never really ends.
Taking care of yourself during this time is essential.
Living with cancer that will not likely be cured can be difficult and stressful.
Know that many new drugs have been developed for this disease; ask your healthcare provider about clinical trials.
Many people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia stay on these treatmentssometimes without their disease worseninguntil they die of other causes.
These may include vaccines, medicines like antivirals, or other treatments.
Advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia is hard to cope with when drugs are no longer working.
Youll need to decide which treatments are suitable for you.
Summary
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a pop in of blood cancer.
It affects the bone marrow and causes an increase in abnormal lymphocytic white blood cells.
It is most common in adults around age 70 and progresses slowly.
In CLL, the cancer cells occupy space and crowd out healthy cells.
Symptoms of CLL can take a long time to appear.
Its often discovered during tests for other reasons.
Healthcare providers use blood, bone marrow, and imaging tests to diagnose CLL.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy used to be the treatment of choice for CLL.
Now, targeted therapies are usually the best option.
Not all people need treatment immediately, especially if their CLL grows slowly and is low risk.
Starting treatment early doesnt always improve survival rates.
Instead, healthcare providers suggest watchful waiting, which is when your provider monitors you before starting treatment.
Many people with CLL dont die from the disease itself.
Living with CLL involves managing symptoms and treatment side effects and improving quality of life.
Complications include anemia, a higher risk of infections, and abnormal antibodies.
Regular checkups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are essential.
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