Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by production of a large number of immature lymphocytes in the bone marrow. These premature cells aggregate in bone marrow and inhibit the normal hematopoiesis of bone marrow. The disease commonly affects the elderly and is rare in children. Progress of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is slow. Many early stage patients have no symptoms. As the disease progresses, patients have symptoms including anemia, bleeding, recurrent infections, enlarged lymph nodes and other symptoms. If the case is still in early stage or the condition is stable, anti-cancer therapy is not required. Treatment option is mainly chemotherapy of single or multiple agents.
How is Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated in practice?