ChronicLymphocyticLeukemia.info

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Information

chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the marrow and blood, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia is just one type of this disease. However, before you make any assumption based on the symptoms that you’re suffering, it is best if you consult a medical professional. If the cancer originated due to the abnormality of the lymphocytes, it is called chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

• Possible Causes

When you have CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the white blood cells or the B lymphocytes are slowly increasing. From the marrow, cancerous cells will work their way to the blood. If the condition is not treated, chronic lymphocytic leukemia can lead to the failure of the bone marrow. Other organs of the body can also be affected by the cancer such as spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.

• Symptoms to Monitor in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are not always evident. Patients may exhibit mild to severe symptoms. The following are the signs that you should monitor if you suspect that you’re suffering from CLL – inflamed lymph nodes, abnormal bruising, fatigue, excessive sweating, recurring infections, fatigue, fever, appetite loss, and unexpected weight loss. If are suffering from most of these symptoms, it is high time that you consult a doctor right away.

• Tests and Examinations

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or CLL have higher counts of white blood cells. There are several examinations conducted by medical professionals such as CBC or complete blood count, biopsy of the bone marrow, immunoglobulin testing, CT scan of the pelvis, abdomen, and chest, and lactate dehydrogenase test. In order to determine the cancer stage, these tests are necessary. Advanced cancer usually has higher stage numbers.

• Ideal Treatments

During the early stages of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia, there is no treatment but if the patient is already diagnosed with the disease, the doctor should monitor the progress closely. For patients suffering from high risk CLL, the doctor can administer treatment especially if the infection is recurring, low count on platelets, appetite or weight loss, and fatigue.

Chemotherapy is also recommended and certain drugs can be used such as fludarabine, alemtuzumab, and bendamustine. Patients with swollen and painful lymph nodes may undergo radiation therapy but this seldom happens. Just in case the patient has a low blood count, platelet or blood transfusions may be recommended. Younger patients can be given stem cell or bone marrow transplantation if the CLL is advanced.

• Potential Complications of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Patients suffering from CLL can face many complications. Depending on the severity of the condition, among the potential complications include bleeding, hypogammaglobulinemia, recurring infections, ITP or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, overwhelming fatigue, chemo side effects, and other cancer types.

You must contact a health care provider or doctor when you are suffering from unexplained weight loss, night sweating, bruising, and swollen lymph nodes. This is a condition that you must take seriously because it is life threatening. The tests and treatments can also be quite costly. However, if you are able to identify the condition at an earlier stage, you can still survive the condition. It is possible to fight chronic lymphocytic leukemia but you should be alert and observant of what is happening inside your body.