UMCCC: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(CLL)

U-M GATEWAY UMHS RSS U-M MEDICAL SCHOOL

EVENTS

FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

	CANCER & TREATMENTS SUPPORT & SURVIVORSHIP PREVENTION & RISK ASSESSMENT CLINICAL TRIALS & RESEARCH LIVING WITH CANCER

The Hematology/
Oncology Clinic

Make an Appointment

Related Information:

Leukemia: Chronic Myelogenous (CML)

Leukemia Resources

Donate 4 Life

		Home > Cancer and Treatments > Blood, Lymphatic & Bone Marrow Cancers > Leukemia Leukemia: Chronic Lymphocytic (CLL) Definition Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer in the bone marrow. CLL produces too many lymphocytes (white blood cells). White blood cells defend the body against infection. In untreated leukemia, the white blood cell count is abnormally high. Ninety percent of people who develop CLL are over age 50. It is more common in men than women. Getting Diagnosed / Treatment CLL is treated at the U-M Cancer Center in the Adult Hematology Clinic. Read more about: The Clinic View the Team (link goes to the UMHS website). Research Make an Appointment How does CLL occur? Blood cells grow in the bone marrow and are supposed to be fully-grown when they enter the bloodstream. There are 3 types of mature blood cells: Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body. White blood cells that fight infection and disease. Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. In CLL, too many immature cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The lymphocytes in CLL are not able to fight infection very well. Also, as the CLL cells increase in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may result in infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unknown. What are the symptoms? Chronic lymphocytic leukemia often has few symptoms. In some people, the first signs of the disease are: enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin a feeling of fullness in the upper left abdomen from an enlarged spleen anemia dizziness unexplained bruising or bleeding an infection that does not clear up or frequent infections general fatigue loss of appetite weight loss fever increased sweating at night. How is it diagnosed? It is sometimes discovered when a blood test is done for some other reason and an abnormally high lymphocyte count is found. People may complain of tiredness, may have swollen lymph nodes, or may have more frequent infections. How is it treated? In the early stage of the disease you may not need treatment. Treatment is required when your lymph nodes, spleen, or liver is greatly enlarged or when the disease gets worse. Your health care provider will want to check you regularly. You may need to see a cancer specialist (oncologist). When you need treatment, your provider may prescribe radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other kinds of medicines. Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Steroid medicine may help control the growth of CLL cells. Monoclonal antibodies are artificial proteins. They may be infused into the body to attack specific proteins on the leukemic cells. They also help the body's immune system to destroy other leukemic cells. If these treatments do not work well, a bone marrow transplant may be done. A bone marrow transplant injects the person with CLL with healthy marrow cells from a donor. How long will the effects last? The disease becomes worse over many years. Survival varies from 1 to 20 years, depending on the stage of disease when it is diagnosed and the growth rate of the malignant cells. Many people with CLL live normal lives for many years. How can I take care of myself? Check with your health care provider before taking other medicines, including nonprescription products or other forms of treatment. Continue to eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise. If you have a sore throat or fever, call your health care provider for advice. You may need immediate treatment. It is important to have regular checkups and to follow your health care provider's advice about how to take care of yourself. If several family members have had the disease, there is an increased risk of siblings, especially brothers, to have the disease. If you are at increased risk, you should have regular checkups. Return to the top of the page Print this page Updated 12/2005 Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC. Published by McKesson Health Solutions LLC. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Return to the top of the page		See Also Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinical Trials on the Engage website Support Groups Radioimmunotherapy (Bexxar) Blood and Marrow Transplant Adjust text size University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center 1500 East Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109 This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

	MAPS & DIRECTIONS GLOSSARY CONTACT US SITE INDEX DISCLAIMER PRIVACY STATEMENT INTRANET