Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is type of cancer that occurs when too many white blood cells are produced. This eMedTV article offers an overview of CLL, with detailed information on risk factors, treatment options, prognosis, and more.
The causes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are not yet known. This section of the eMedTV archives discusses risk factors that increase the chances of developing chronic lymphocytic leukemia, such as being middle-aged or older, male, or Caucasian.
Common CLL symptoms may include fever and infection, feeling very tired, and weight loss. This eMedTV article discusses common symptoms of this condition, which also include pain or fullness below the ribs and painless swelling of lymph nodes.
Stages of CLL include stages 0-IV and refractory (cancer that does not get better with treatment). This eMedTV article defines each of these stages of CLL and covers some of the tests used in the staging process, including x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
For people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, treatment options may include chemotherapy and surgery. This eMedTV Web page looks at these and other treatments for chronic lymphocytic, such as radiation therapy and monoclonal antibody therapy.
There are six stages of CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) used to express the extent of the disease. This eMedTV Web page explores CLL treatment by stage, which ranges from watchful waiting to participating in clinical trials of new treatments.
A person's CLL prognosis is an opinion as to the outcome of the disease. This section of the eMedTV library discusses the factors that affect a prognosis for someone with CLL and provides survival rates and other statistics.
According to CLL statistics, an estimated 10,020 people will be diagnosed with the cancer in 2006. This eMedTV segment discusses a variety of statistics concerning CLL, including death rates, survival rates, and lifetime risk figures.
