All About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Millions across the world suffer from leukemia, a deadly illness. Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is one of many types of leukemia diagnosed, and a type of leukemia many people do not know of.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is a condition when the body’s bone marrow produces too many lymphocytes, white blood cells that fight off bodily infections. Bone marrow is the tissue inside bones that produces healthy blood cells. With CLL, cancerous cells surround normal blood cells, causing blood cell levels to drop. CLL affects the lymphatic system, such as the spleen and lymph nodes. This type of leukemia is common in older adults and often does not show symptoms until it is advanced. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is often compared to Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), but they have a slight difference. CLL is when more cancerous cells are found in the blood and bone marrow than in the lymphatic system. SLL is when more cancerous cells are found in the lymphatic system. CLL diagnoses represent more than one third of leukemia cases in adults.

The causes of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are unknown, but there is information we do know. Mutations to DNA that control blood-producing cells cause abnormal lymphocytes. When healthy lymphocytes die, cancerous lymphocytes multiply. Researchers have found that people who are exposed to toxic chemicals are at higher risk of CLL. Scientists found that soldiers who inhaled Agent Orange, a toxic chemical utilized in the Vietnam War, were tied to CLL diagnoses. Most people diagnosed with CLL live for five more years. Signs and symptoms of CLL include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath caused by anemia, which is low red blood cell count. CLL may cause leukopenia, low white blood cell count, or lymphocytosis, high white blood cell count. Bleeding and easy bruising is also associated with thrombocytopenia, low platelet count. Pain or feelings of fullness in the upper left abdomen may be a sign of splenomegaly, an enlarged spleen. Other general symptoms include, fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats.

There are a total of five stages of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Stage zero is when CLL is slow growing and there are not many lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Stages one to four include signs of too many lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Stages two to four all include abnormal development of the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Treatment options for CLL vary depending on the patient. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy utilize drugs to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells by stopping its division process. Watchful therapy is when patients’ conditions are observed without the application of treatment. Doctors utilize immunotherapy to boost the immune systems of patients to combat the cancer. Radiation therapy is when high energy x-rays are applied to areas of the body with cancerous cells.

In conclusion, CLL is one of many types of leukemias that continues to be researched and studied. Its signs, symptoms, treatment options, and understanding is constantly progressing on a daily basis. Advancements in technology, biomedical engineering, and medicine will save thousands of people suffering from leukemia.

Sources

• 8 Ways to Manage Side Effects of CLL Treatment

• Your Guide to CLL: Understanding Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version