Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer found in the blood and bone marrow and is caused by abnormal white blood cells being produced very quickly.2

In CLL, cancerous cells crowd the blood and bone marrow leaving less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. This could also cause problems like anemia, infection and bleeding.3

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Additional Information About CLL

  • CLL Fast Facts

    • CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, with an estimated 20,160 new cases in the US in 2022.3-5
    • Men are more likely to have CLL than women.6
    • The average age at time of diagnosis is around 70 years.7
    • Many people with CLL do not have any visible symptoms when they are diagnosed. CLL is often found in blood tests for unrelated health problems or during a routine check-up.8
    • In general, the 5-year survival rate for people age 20 and older with CLL is 88%.9 This varies from patient to patient based on factors like the stage of the disease at diagnosis.10
  • Wellness Information

    Before your doctor diagnoses you with CLL, you may be experiencing feelings of frustration as symptoms go unexplained. Click here for more information on the signs and symptoms of CLL.

Expert Answers to Common Questions About CLL

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    EPISODE 1: Understanding and Discovering CLL

    Dr. Sharman, Dr. Ghosh and Cory Williams, PA, tackle common questions about what CLL is and how to navigate diagnosis and treatment options.

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    EPISODE 2: Stages of CLL

    Learn more from experts in CLL as they explain the different stages of the disease.

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    EPISODE 3: Treatment for CLL

    CLL experts answer questions around treatment options for CLL patients and common side effects during treatment.

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    EPISODE 4: Living with CLL

    CLL experts address common questions about daily life with CLL, emotions and symptoms one may experience after diagnosis and steps to take to help protect one’s immune system.

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    EPISODE 5: Caring for a Loved One with CLL

    Find out more about caring for a loved one as CLL experts discuss ways to support and care for a patient who is living with CLL.

References

  1. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Updated Data on Blood Cancers: Facts 2020-2021. https://www.lls.org/booklet/facts-2020-2021. Accessed February 2023.
  2. American Society of Hematology. Leukemia. https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-cancers/leukemia. Accessed February 2023.
  3. National Cancer Institute. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ®)–patient version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/cll-treatment-pdq. Accessed February 2023.
  4. American Cancer Society. What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about/what-is-cll.html. Accessed February 2023.
  5. American Cancer Society. Key statistics for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed February 2023.
  6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/leukemias/types/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll. Accessed February 2023.
  7. Cancer.Net. Leukemia – chronic lymphocytic – CLL: statistics. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/statistics. Accessed February 2023.
  8. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Accessed February 2023.
  9. National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: leukemia —chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL). https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/clyl.html. Accessed February 2023.
  10. Cancer.Net. Leukemia – chronic lymphocytic – CLL: stages. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/stages. Accessed February 2023.