Overview
Blood Cancer Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is characterized by the progressive accumulation of a malignant clone of functionally incompetent B cells. It is the commonest type of leukemia and affects mostly the elderly popuation.Signs and Symptoms
Fever with or without chills, Weakness, Fatigue, Weight loss, Swollen lymph nodes, Easy bruising or bleeding, Tiny red spots on the skin, Excessive sweating, Bone pain or tenderness, Enlarged spleen or liver, Frequent or recurrent infections, AnemiaCommon Causes
Causes unknown but it is postulated to be due to years of genetic defect over the cancer and healthy gene regulationRisk Factors
Age as the elderly population is at higher risk of developing CLL, Family history of leukemia, White ethnicity, Male sexInvestigation Techniques
Full blood count, Blood cultures, Peripheral blood smear, Liver function test, Clotting factors, Flow cytometry, Chest X-ray, CT scan, Bone marrow testTreatment and Prevention
Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Antibiotics for infection, Supportive therapy such as blood or platelet transfusions and IV fluids, Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
