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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Alternate Names : CLL
DefinitionChronic lymphocytic leukemia is a malignancy (cancer) of the white blood cells (lymphocytes) characterized by a slow, progressive increase of these cells in the blood and the bone marrow.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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 years old. 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 Eastern European descent and is uncommon in Asia.
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Anemia
• Idiopathic Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
• Immunodeficiency Disorders
• Thrombocytopenia
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• WBC Count
Other Topics
• Antibody
• Appetite - Decreased
• Aspiration
• Bleeding Into the Skin
• Chemotherapy
• Fatigue
• Malignancy
• Sweating - Excessive
• Swollen Glands
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 8/4/2002
Reviewed By : Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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