Treatment FAQ

what is chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment

by Annie Mann PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago
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Many different drugs and drug combinations can be used as the first treatment for CLL. The options include monoclonal antibodies, other targeted drugs, chemotherapy, and different combinations of these. Some of the more commonly used drug treatments include: Ibrutinib (Imbruvica), alone or with rituximab (Rituxan)Apr 22, 2020

Medication

Main treatments. Because CLL often grows slowly, not everyone needs to be treated right away. When treatment is needed, the main treatments used are: Chemotherapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Monoclonal Antibodies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Targeted Therapy Drugs for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Procedures

Mar 04, 2022 · Treatment of Refractory or Recurrent Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Targeted therapy alone or with any of the following drugs: Ibrutinib with or without rituximab or obinutuzumab. Ibrutinib with or without rituximab or obinutuzumab. Venetoclax with or without rituximab or obinutuzumab. Idelalisib with ...

Therapy

Treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) largely depends how far developed it is when it's diagnosed. You may just need to be monitored at first if it's caught early on. Chemotherapy is the main treatment if it's more advanced. Treatment can often help keep CLL under control for many years. It may go away after treatment initially (known as remission), but will usually …

Nutrition

Chemotherapy for CLL. Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy leukaemia cells. The drugs circulate around your body in the bloodstream. The most common types of chemotherapy drugs you might have for CLL include: cyclophosphamide.

What is the life expectancy of someone with CLL?

Jan 04, 2022 · Chemo drugs used to treat CLL include corticosteroids, alkylating agents, and purine analogs. Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies target and destroy a specific target, such as proteins on the surface of cancer cells. They are given intravenously. Several types of monoclonal antibodies are used to combat CLL.

When should CLL be treated?

Apr 26, 2021 · Abstract. Treatment decisions for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are dependent on symptoms and classification into high-, medium-, or low-risk categories. The prognosis for CLL hinges, in part, on the presence or absence of less-favorable genetic aberrations, including del (17p), del (11q), TP53 dysfunction, and IGHV mutations, as these …

How do you die from CLL?

May 11, 2022 · Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients generally have a better outlook compared to other cancer types – with a higher 5-year survival rate of about 83 percent. There are two types of CLL – one being a slower-growing type and the other a faster-growing type. The slower-growing type features higher lymphocytes with slightly low platelets ...

How long do you live with CLL?

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Can you be cured of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can rarely be cured. Still, most people live with the disease for many years. Some people with CLL can live for years without treatment, but over time, most will need to be treated. Most people with CLL are treated on and off for years.May 10, 2018

Is Chemo The only treatment for CLL?

Treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) largely depends how far developed it is when it's diagnosed. You may just need to be monitored at first if it's caught early on. Chemotherapy is the main treatment if it's more advanced. Treatment can often help keep CLL under control for many years.

At what point does CLL require treatment?

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (chronic lymphoid leukemia, CLL) do not need drug therapy until they become symptomatic or display evidence of rapid progression of disease, as characterized by the following: Weight loss of more than 10% over 6 months.Feb 8, 2022

How serious is chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

The prognosis of patients with CLL varies widely at diagnosis. Some patients die rapidly, within 2-3 years of diagnosis, because of complications from CLL. Most patients live 5-10 years, with an initial course that is relatively benign but followed by a terminal, progressive, and resistant phase lasting 1-2 years.

What is the newest treatment for CLL?

In May 2019, the FDA approved venetoclax (Venclexta) in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat people with previously untreated CLL as a chemotherapy-free option. In April 2020, the FDA approved a combination therapy of rituximab (Rituxan) and ibrutinib (Imbruvica) for adult patients with chronic CLL.

What is first line treatment for CLL?

Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) has been the standard first-line therapy for CLL. Age and comorbidities can help decide which patients may benefit from a CIT approach. FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab) is the current standard treatment option for younger patients with CLL.

What happens if you dont treat CLL?

Both treated and untreated people with CLL can develop acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. These complications are more common after treatment with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) or fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR).

What happens if CLL is left untreated?

If left untreated, you can develop serious complications from the disease such as anemia and symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, bleeding and difficulty fighting off infections or frequent infections. In extreme circumstances you may need transfusions of blood or platelets prior to the diagnosis of CLL.

How do you know if CLL is getting worse?

Unexplained weight loss of more than 10 percent of your body weight over the course of 6 months or so could mean your CLL is progressing. This means that you're losing weight when you're not trying to diet.Feb 6, 2020

What were your first signs of chronic leukemia?

Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:
  • Fever or chills.
  • Persistent fatigue, weakness.
  • Frequent or severe infections.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.
  • Easy bleeding or bruising.
  • Recurrent nosebleeds.
  • Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)

Is CLL a death sentence?

Is CLL a death sentence? CLL is not curable. However, it is possible to live for 10 years or more after diagnosis.Jan 4, 2022

What is the main cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not known. Multiple genetic mutations occur in the DNA of blood-producing cells. These mutations cause the blood cells to produce abnormal lymphocytes, which are not effective at fighting infection. Usually, an abnormal chromosome is present in a patient with CLL.

Can lymphocytic leukemia cause tiredness?

Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include swollen lymph nodes and feeling tired. In the beginning, CLL does not cause any signs or symptoms and may be found during a routine blood test. Later, signs and symptoms may occur.

Can leukemia cause infection?

These leukemia cells are not able to fight infection very well. Also, as the number of leukemia cells increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may lead to infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. This summary is about chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

What is the most common type of leukemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (also called CLL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that usually gets worse slowly. CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults. It often occurs during or after middle age; it rarely occurs in children.

Does leukemia cause bleeding?

Also, as the number of leukemia cells increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may lead to infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. This summary is about chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Is stage 0 leukemia slow growing?

Stage 0 chronic lymphocytic leukemia is indolent (slow-growing).

Is the liver larger than normal in stage 2 leukemia?

In stage II chronic lymphocytic leukemia, there are too many lymphocytes in the blood, the liver or spleen is larger than normal, and the lymph nodes may be larger than normal.

What is the disease that causes swollen lymph nodes?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Leukemia may affect red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include swollen lymph nodes and feeling tired. Tests that examine the blood are used ...

What is the treatment for lymphocytic leukemia?

If your doctor determines your chronic lymphocytic leukemia is progressing or is in the intermediate or advanced stages, your treatment options may include: Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that kills quickly growing cells, including cancer cells.

Is lymphocytic leukemia a slow growing cancer?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is typically a slow-growing cancer that may not require treatment. While some people may refer to this as a "good" type of cancer, it doesn't really make receiving a cancer diagnosis any easier.

Can bone marrow transplants help with leukemia?

As new and more-effective drug combinations have been developed, bone marrow transplant has become less common in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

What is flow cytometry test?

A test called flow cytometry or immunophenotyping helps determine whether an increased number of lymphocytes is due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a different blood disorder or your body's reaction to another process, such as infection .

What is targeted drug?

Targeted drugs are designed to take advantage of the specific vulnerabilities of your cancer cells. Your cancer cells are tested to determine which targeted drugs may be helpful. Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses your body's immune system to fight cancer.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Immunotherapy . Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses your body's immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy treatments may make it easier for your immune system to identify cancer cells or train your immune system cells to fight cancer cells. Bone marrow transplant.

What is supportive care?

Supportive care may include: Cancer screening. Your doctor will evaluate your risk of other types of cancer and may recommend screening to look for signs of other cancers. For instance, your doctor may recommend a skin examination every year or two to look for signs of skin cancer. Vaccinations to prevent infections.

What are the symptoms of lymphocytic leukemia?

Many people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have no symptoms at first. Signs and symptoms might develop as the cancer progresses. They might include: 1 Enlarged, but painless, lymph nodes 2 Fatigue 3 Fever 4 Pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen, which may be caused by an enlarged spleen 5 Night sweats 6 Weight loss 7 Frequent infections

What is the term for a cancer of the bone marrow?

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. The term "chronic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that it typically progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The term "lymphocytic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes ...

What is the name of the cancer that is more aggressive?

A small number of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may develop a more aggressive form of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Doctors sometimes refer to this as Richter's syndrome. Increased risk of other cancers.

What is Richter's syndrome?

Doctors sometimes refer to this as Richter's syndrome. Increased risk of other cancers. People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have an increased risk of other types of cancer, including skin cancer, such as melanoma, and cancers of the lung and the digestive tract. Immune system problems.

What are the treatments for CLL?

There are also a number of other treatments that are sometimes used to help treat some of the problems caused by CLL, particularly if you cannot have chemotherapy or it does not work. These include: radiotherapy to shrink enlarged lymph glands or a swollen spleen. surgery to remove a swollen spleen.

What is stage A lymphoma?

stage A – you have enlarged lymph glands in fewer than 3 areas (such as your neck, armpit or groin) and a high white blood cell count. stage C – you have enlarged lymph glands or an enlarged spleen, a high white blood cell count, and a low red blood cell or platelet count.

How long does CLL stay under control?

Chemotherapy is the main treatment if it's more advanced. Treatment can often help keep CLL under control for many years. It may go away after treatment initially (known as remission), but will usually come back (relapse) a few months or years later and may need to be treated again.

What are the stages of CLL?

There are 3 main stages of CLL: stage A – you have enlarged lymph glands in fewer than 3 areas ( such as your neck, armpit or groin) and a high white blood cell count. stage B – you have enlarged lymph glands in 3 or more areas and a high white blood cell count.

Can you get CLL if you don't have symptoms?

Treatment may not be needed if you do not have any symptoms when you're diagnosed with CLL. This is because: CLL often develops very slowly and may not cause symptoms for many years. there's no benefit in starting treatment early. treatment can cause significant side effects.

How long does cyclophosphamide last?

cyclophosphamide – a chemotherapy medicine also usually taken as a tablet for 3 to 5 days at the start of each treatment cycle. rituximab – a targeted cancer drug given into a vein over the course of a few hours (intravenous infusion) at the start of each treatment cycle.

What are the side effects of CLL?

The medicines used to treat CLL can cause some significant side effects, including: persistent tiredness. feeling sick. an increased risk of infections. easy bruising or bleeding. anaemia – shortness of breath, weakness and pale skin. hair loss or thinning. an irregular heartbeat.

Is zanubrutinib a BTK inhibitor?

One of the irreversible BTK inhibitors, zanubrutinib, received accelerated approval in the USA (November 2019) for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma who had received at least 1 previous therapy [73].

When was Venetoclax approved?

It was initially approved in April 2016 for the treatment of patients with del(17p) CLL who had received at least 1 prior line of therapy [48].

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment is based on the severity of disease, age and fitness of the patient.
Medication

Chemotherapy: - FCR is the name of a combination of cancer drugs used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). - CHOP is the name of another chemotherapy treatment used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Fludarabine/Cyclophosphamide/Rituximab . Cyclophosphamide/Doxorubicin hydrochloride/Vincristine/Prednisolone


Monoclonal antibodies: Help the immune system to target the specific cancerous cells.

Trastuzumab . Pertuzumab . Bevacizumab


Targeted therapy drugs: Unlike chemotherapy drugs that non-specifically kill all rapidly growing cells, these drugs attack specific molecules/pathways present only in cancer cells.

Ibrutinib . Idelalisib

Procedures

Splenectomy: It cannot cure cancer. Reduces the symptoms by improving blood cell counts.

Stem cell transplantation: Done after careful consideration to improve the quality of life.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:Cancer cells are destroyed using high beam radiation.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat More plants than meat

Foods to avoid:

  • Sugar
  • Caffeine
  • Dairy
  • Alcohol

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Blood tests
    Tests and procedures used to diagnose chronic lymphocytic leukemia include blood tests designed to: 1. Count the number of cells in a blood sample.A complete blood count may be used to count the number of lymphocytes in a blood sample. A high number of B cells, one type of ly…
  • Other tests
    In some cases, your doctor may order additional tests and procedures to aid in diagnosis, such as: 1. Tests of your leukemia cells that look for characteristics that could affect your prognosis 2. Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration 3. Imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) an…
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