Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 30, 2023
  • Author: Mohammad Muhsin Chisti, MD, FACP; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How can chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosed?

What are the staging systems for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) managed?

What is the role of clonal B cells in the pathophysiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of proto-oncogene bcl2 in the pathophysiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of miRNA15a and miRNA16-1 in the pathophysiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are high-risk genetic markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are poor prognostic indicators for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the US?

What is the global incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which patient groups are at higher risk for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

DDX

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosed?

How is mantel cell lymphoma differentiated from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?

Workup

What is the role of a complete blood count (CBC) with differentials in the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of peripheral blood smear in the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of serum quantitative immunoglobulin measurement in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How are prolymphocytic leukemia and splenic lymphoma differentiated from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of imaging in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which tests does the NCCN consider informative in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are potential prognostic markers for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How is bone marrow aspiration and biopsy used in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the staging systems for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the Rai-Sawitsky staging system for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the Binet staging system for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Treatment

When is chemotherapy indicated in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is included in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are autoimmune manifestations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the prevalence of autoimmune manifestations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of prednisone in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What causes hyperviscosity syndrome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cause?

What is the role of splenectomy in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which chemotherapy and biologic regimens are used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of bendamustine in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of alemtuzumab in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of ofatumumab (Arzerra) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of obinutuzumab (Gazyva) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of duvelisib (Copiktra) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which monoclonal antibodies are being investigated for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of combination therapies with monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of ibrutinib in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of acalabrutinib in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of idelalisib in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of venetoclax in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of lenalidomide in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How is the role of combination venetoclax and obinutuzumab in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the role of CAR T-cell therapy in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) managed in elderly patients?

Guidelines

What are the ESMO diagnostic guidelines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which organizations have published guidelines for diagnosing and treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the diagnostic guidelines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommendations for further testing when the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is not established by flow cytometry?

What are the IWCLL diagnostic guidelines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What testing is recommended prior to initiating treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the NCCN recommendations for the workup of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are the indications for treatment of low or intermediate risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What is the basis for treatment recommendations for high risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

What are NCCN treatment recommendations for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) without del(17p) or TP53 mutations?

What are NCCN and ESMO treatment recommendations for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with del(17p) or TP53 mutations?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastic Agents are used in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?