chronic leukemia

Chronic Leukemia: A Slowly Progressing Cancer

Chronic leukemia, also known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the production of too many white blood cells, specifically lymphocytes, which are a type of immune cell.

Key Features:

• Slow progression: CLL typically progresses slowly over time, unlike other types of leukemia.
• Affects older adults: CLL mainly affects older adults, with most cases and deaths occurring in people over 70 years old.
• Increased white blood cells: The bone marrow produces too many lymphocytes, which can crowd out healthy cells and lead to infection, fatigue, and weight loss.

Symptoms:

• Non-painful lymph node swelling
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss for no clear reason
• Enlargement of the spleen
• Low red blood cell count

Prevalence:

• CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, accounting for 25-30% of all leukemia diagnoses in the U.S.
• Approximately 18,700 people are diagnosed with CLL each year in the United States.

References:

• [1] Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that starts in early forms of certain white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in the bone marrow. The cancer (leukemia) cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood.
• [3] Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults. It affects about 5 in 100,000 people in the U.S.
• [11] Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Early on, there are typically no symptoms.
• [13] In both cases, blood tests may confirm that people have CLL, a form of leukemia that mainly affects older adults.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Leukemia

Chronic leukemia, also known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. While some people may not experience any symptoms in the early stages, others may develop noticeable signs and symptoms as the disease progresses.

Common Symptoms:

• Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak, even after resting [8][10]
• Fever: A persistent feeling of heat or a high temperature [6][10]
• Frequent Infections: CLL can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections [6][9]
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin area [1][5]
• Weight Loss: Unintentional weight loss due to a decrease in appetite or an increase in metabolism [4][14]

Other Possible Symptoms:

• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling winded even when sitting still [8][10]
• Pale Skin: A pale complexion due to a lack of red blood cells [6][9]
• Easy Bleeding: Easy bruising or bleeding due to a decrease in platelets [12]

It's essential to note that not everyone with chronic leukemia will experience all of these symptoms, and some people may have no symptoms at all. If you're experiencing any unusual symptoms or concerns, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References:

[1] - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. [4] - Apr 19, 2024 — Chronic lymphocytic leukemia symptoms may include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, anemia and fever. Learn the CLL signs ... [5] - Swollen lymph glands or tummy (abdominal) discomfort from an enlarged spleen · Weight loss · Infections that will not get better · Bleeding or bruising · Feeling ... [6] - CLL affects your red blood cells, causing anemia. Fatigue is a common anemia symptom. Fever. Fever is a sign of infection. CLL affects healthy white blood cells ... [8] - Oct 15, 2024 — Leukemia may affect red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Signs and symptoms of CLL include swollen lymph nodes and feeling tired. [9] - Leukemia symptoms vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Common leukemia signs and symptoms include: Fever or chills; Persistent fatigue, weakness; Frequent or severe infections; Losing weight without trying; Shortness of breath; Pale skin. [10] - Symptoms depend, in part, on the type of leukemia. For instance, if you have a chronic form of leukemia, you may not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Common signs and symptoms of leukemia include: Fatigue, tiring easily. Fever or night sweats. Frequent infections. Shortness of breath. Pale skin. [12] - Early symptoms of leukemia often include easy bleeding, frequent infections, and fatigue. ... chronic lymphocytic leukemia; ... Leukemia symptoms and signs. (n.d.) ... [14] - Some people with chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) experience a feeling of abdominal fullness, unexplained weight loss, and a sense of fatigue. Other people never experience symptoms; they learn that they have the condition when their doctor offers them a blood test to monitor their overall health or check for another condition.

Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Leukemia

Chronic leukemia, also known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), can be diagnosed through various tests and procedures. These tests help confirm the presence of CLL cells in the blood or bone marrow.

• Blood Tests: Blood tests are a crucial part of diagnosing CLL. A complete blood count (CBC) may be used to count the number of lymphocytes in a blood sample. A high number of B cells, one type of lymphocyte, may indicate CLL [2].
• Flow Cytometry: Flow cytometry is a sophisticated blood test that can identify specific substances on the surface of CLL cells. This test helps confirm the diagnosis and determine the subtype of CLL [13].
• Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy is the only way to confirm that CLL cells are present in the bone marrow. This procedure involves taking a sample of bone marrow from the hipbone or sternum [9].
• Physical Exam: A physical exam may be performed to look for signs of CLL, such as pale skin from anemia, swelling of lymph nodes, and fatigue [12].

Confirming Diagnosis

Confirming a correct diagnosis of CLL is essential before deciding on a treatment plan. Treatment may not be immediately necessary if the diagnosis is confirmed through blood tests [3]. The diagnosis is typically established by a blood test called flow cytometry [4].

Additional Tests

Other tests, such as molecular testing and immunohistochemistry, may also be used to diagnose CLL and determine its subtype [14]. These tests help evaluate the genetic characteristics of CLL cells.

References: [1] Context 3 [2] Context 2 [3] Context 3 [4] Context 3 [9] Context 9 [12] Context 12 [13] Context 13 [14] Context 14

The differential diagnosis of chronic leukemia involves identifying other conditions that may present similarly to chronic leukemia. Here are some key points to consider:

• Anemia secondary to bone marrow involvement with CLL: This is a condition where anemia develops due to the infiltration of the bone marrow by CLL cells, leading to a decrease in red blood cell production (1).
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): CML is a type of chronic leukemia characterized by the increased proliferation of granulocytic cells without loss of their capacity to differentiate. It accounts for 20% of all leukemias affecting adults (2).
• Follicular lymphoma: This is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can present with similar symptoms to CLL, such as anemia and thrombocytopenia (3).
• Splenic marginal zone lymphoma: This is a rare type of lymphoma that can involve the spleen and may be mistaken for CLL or other types of leukemia (4).
• Nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma: This is another type of lymphoma that can present with similar symptoms to CLL, such as anemia and thrombocytopenia (5).
• Mantle cell lymphoma: This is a rare type of lymphoma that can involve the bone marrow and may be mistaken for CLL or other types of leukemia (6).
• Hairy cell leukemia: This is a rare type of leukemia characterized by the presence of hairy cells in the bone marrow, which can mimic CLL (7).

In addition to these conditions, the differential diagnosis of chronic leukemia must also exclude:

• Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL): MBL is a precursor to CLL and is defined as a condition where there are more than 5% monoclonal B cells in the peripheral blood (8).
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): CML is a type of chronic leukemia that can be distinguished from CLL by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome (9).

References:

(1) [1] (2) [2] (3) [3] (4) [4] (5) [5] (6) [6] (7) [7] (8) [8] (9) [9]

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the corresponding references in the provided context.