Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Definition

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is amalignancy (cancer) of the white blood cells (lymphocytes) characterized by a slow, progressive increase of these cells in the blood and the bone marrow.

Alternative Names

CLL

Causes

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) affects the B lymphocytes and causes immunosuppression, failure of the bone marrow, and invasion of malignant (cancerous) cells into organs.

Usually the symptoms develop gradually. The incidence is about 2 per 100,000 and increases with age (90% of cases are found in people over 50). Many cases are detected by routine blood tests in people with no symptoms. The cause of CLL is unknown. No relationship to radiation, carcinogenic chemicals or viruses has been determined. The disease is more common in Jewish people of Russian or East European descent, and is uncommon in Asia.

Review Date: 8/3/2004
Reviewed By: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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