CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTE LEUKEMIA

What is chronic leukaemia?

Leukaemia literally means ‘many white cells in the blood’.
The white cells are part of the body’s immune system, and there are several sub-groups of white cells that have different sorts of roles in recognising and dealing with ‘invaders’ such as bacteria and viruses as well as other types of foreign protein.
All of the blood cells originate in the bone marrow and leukaemia (blood cancer) is a disease where the bone marrow produces large numbers of abnormal white cells. This means that the normal marrow is pushed into smaller and smaller areas. This results in fewer normal cells being produced and gives rise to some of the symptoms.
There are many types of leukaemia, each of which is classified according to the exact cell type affected by the disease.
Chronic leukaemia is a slowly progressive form of leukaemia and tends to involve more mature cell types. It may not need treatment immediately, but if treatment is required it is usually chemotherapy, given in the form of tablets.
The cause of leukaemia is not known.
What are the symptoms of chronic leukaemia?
It is possible to have chronic leukaemia for months or even years without knowing it.
The symptoms are varied, but many people notice:

  • * Tiredness (due to anaemia)
  • * bruising easily (often without having had any blow or fall)
  • * repeated infections
  • * enlarged lymph glands
  • * Weight loss
  • * Night sweats
  • * Fever.

What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the commonest type of leukaemia with 3000 to 4000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. It is a form of chronic leukaemia characterised by an increased number of lymphocytes, which make up one of the main sub-groups of white cells in the blood. Despite their increased numbers these lymphocytes lack the normal ability of responding to infection by the production of antibodies, so compromising the immune system of the affected person.

CLL is rarely found in people under the age of 40 – the peak age is 65. It is twice as common in men as in women. There are no obvious causes known for CLL.

What are the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above which are common to all forms of leukaemia, specific signs of the disease are:

* Painless enlargement of the lymph glands especially in the neck, armpits and groin.
* Lymph glands in deeper parts of the body may need special scans for diagnosis.
* Sometimes an enlarged spleen (located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen) may cause discomfort or pain.

How is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia diagnosed?

Often the condition is diagnosed by chance when blood tests are being performed for other reasons.

Although a blood test may give doctors the diagnosis, a bone marrow test is usually done to confirm the diagnosis. Special tests are performed on these samples to help classify the leukaemia as this will influence the kind of treatment required.

Scans and X-rays may also be performed in order to help doctors decide on the best treatment.

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