| ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX |
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Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test |
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) |
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| CLL |
| Treatment: |
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Early stage disease often requires no specific treatment (since early treatment does not improve survival), but close observation is important. Chemotherapy may be needed if a patient develops fatigue, anemia, thrombocytopenia or enlarged lymph nodes that are troublesome. The anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy) used first is usually fludarabine. Other medicines that may be used in this disease include chlorambucil (Leukeran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Recently, the drug alemtuzumab (Campath), which is an antibody against the surface of CLL cells, has been approved for treatment of patients with CLL who have failed fludarabine. Another antibody drug, rituximab (Rituxan), may also be used. Rarely, radiation may be used for enlarged lymph nodes. Blood transfusions or platelet transfusions may be required. |
| Support Groups: |
| The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| The prognosis depends on the stage of the disease. Half of patients diagnosed in the earliest stages of the disease live more than 12 years. On the other hand, if CLL has reached an advanced stage, about half of patients die within 2 years. |
| Complications: |
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| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call health care provider if you develop enlarged lymph nodes or unexplained fatigue, bruising, excessive sweating, or weight loss. |
Bone marrow aspiration |
Auer rods |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - microscopic view |
Antibodies |
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