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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) - Overview

Alternative Names

CLL; Leukemia - chronic lymphocytic (CLL)

Definition of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL):

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocytes).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) causes a slow increase in the number of white blood cells called B cells in the bone marrow. The cancerous cells spread from the blood marrow to the blood, and can also affect the lymph nodes and other organs. CLL eventually causes the bone marrow to fail and weakens the immune system.

The reason for this increase in B cells is unknown. There is no link to radiation, cancer-causing chemicals, or viruses.

CLL primarily effects adults. The average age of patients with this type of leukemia is 70. It is rarely seen in people younger than 40. The disease is more common in Jewish people of Russian or East European descent, and is uncommon in Asians.

Bone marrow aspiration

Auer rods

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - microscopic view

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 2/12/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines in Oncology 2009: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas. Version 1.2009.

Kantarjian H, O'Brien S. The chronic leukemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 195.

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