Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made). Leukemia in particular is cancer of the white blood cells, which help the body fight infections. Those with leukemia have bone marrow that produces abnormal white blood cells that then crowd out healthy blood cells. In CLL, there are too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. CLL is the second most common type of leukemia in adults.

What are the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Many patients with CLL show no early symptoms, but those who develop symptoms later may experience:

• Enlarged, painless lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen, which may be caused by an enlarged spleen
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Frequent infections

What causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

The cause of CLL is unclear. Doctors know that something happens to cause a genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells. This mutation causes the blood cells to produce abnormal, ineffective lymphocytes — one type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infections. These abnormal, ineffective lymphocytes multiply and accumulate in the blood and certain organs, where they cause complications. They may crowd healthy cells out of the bone marrow and interfere with normal blood cell production.

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosed?

Tests to diagnose CLL include:

• A complete blood count
• Flow cytometry or immunophenotyping to determine whether an increased number of lymphocytes
• Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to examine the chromosomes inside the bad lymphocytes to look for abnormalities
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Imaging tests

What are the treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Treatments for CLL include the following:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapies, including:
  • Alemtuzumab (Campath)
  • Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
  • Idelalisib (Zydelig)
  • Lenalidomide (Revlimid)
  • Obinutuzumab (Gazyva)
  • Ofatumumab (Arzerra)
  • Rituximab (Rituxan).
• Bone marrow stem cell transplant

Where can I find out more about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

• NIH
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Mayo Clinic