The bone marrow produces blood cells, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cell which fights infection and diseases, as well as platelets, which stop bleeding by creating blood clots. Sometimes, these blood cells develop into cancerous (malignant) cells.
CLL is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal cells which block healthy blood cells in the lymph nodes. The condition usually gets worse slowly.
Diagnosis
CLL is the most prevalent form of cancer in adults. It is usually detected through the results of a blood test. This may be done for a different reason or as part of a routine checkup. The blood test will reveal a high amount of white blood cells. These are the white blood cells that fight off infections. A large number of these cells can overtake healthy blood cells and cause problems such as anemia and easy bleeding.
Most leukemia cells are found in bone marrow. They can also expand to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes and blood. It's important to find out how the cancer has spread in order to determine the most effective treatment.
A blood test, also known as a complete blood count (CBC) is the initial step in determining CLL. This reveals the levels of various blood cells, including the amount of lymphocytes that are abnormal. It also indicates whether there is a decrease in blood platelet counts, which cause symptoms like frequent bruising and gum bleeding or nose. It is also a way to determine whether lymph nodes have swelling in your neck, armpits, or your groin.
If you're diagnosed with CLL your doctor may suggest to undergo an x-ray of your chest and other tests to determine the extent to which the cancer has progressed. This is referred to as staging. Your doctor will analyze these and other results to decide on the best treatment for you.
Symptoms
The bone the marrow produces white blood cells called lymphocytes that fight infections and diseases. The marrow may produce excessive amounts of lymphocytes. They can crowd out healthy blood cells. This can cause symptoms and affect the ways your body functions.
When diagnosed, most people with CLL suffer from no or minimal symptoms. The condition typically develops slowly. This is distinct from acute leukemias, which progress more quickly and frequently produce severe symptoms.
CLL symptoms are caused by the accumulation of cancerous lymphocytes in the bone marrow and blood. The cancerous lymphocytes move to other parts of the body, including lymph nodes and liver. The lymph nodes that are enlarged can cause swelling in the neck and armpits, groin, or chest. People with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Railroad injuries leukemia can also experience a feeling of fullness in the abdomen because of the larger spleen.
Other signs include anemia and low levels of platelets, which are cells that aid in the process of helping blood clots stop bleeding. A blood test can determine how many red cells are present in the body, and if they contain enough iron for oxygen to flow throughout the body.
Doctors employ a staging system to determine how advanced the cancer is and Chronic lymphocytic leukemia railroad injuries determine which treatment option is the best. The stages are determined by the extent to which lymphocytes of cancer have spread through the bone marrow and blood as well as to other parts of the body.
Treatment
If you're concerned about swollen glands, weight loss or infections that won't go disappear, schedule an appointment with your family physician. If your doctor suspects you suffer from chronic lymphocytic Leukemia, he will refer you to a Hematologist (a specialist in blood and bone marrow).
Blood tests, also known as complete blood counts, are able to show the amount of lymphocytes that are present in your body. A higher percentage than normal could be a sign of CLL. Flow cytometry is a specific test that can identify lymphocytes and determine if they are cancerous or normal. It can also determine their characteristics, which could help predict how aggressive lymphocytes are.
The majority of CLL cases are identified through blood tests for a different reason, like an ordinary examination or viral disease. The blood test may reveal an increase in lymphocytes or the accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes within the liver and spleen. A CBC can also reveal other signs of the illness, like anemia, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia railroad Injuries which results in weakness and fatigue due to a low number of healthy red blood cells, or leukopenia, which is a deficiency of functional lymphocytes, which weakens your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections.
Treatment options for chronic leukemia depend on the severity of your symptoms, test results and how aggressive the lymphocytes are. Your healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan that's right for you.
Prognosis
If someone suffers from chronic lymphocytic leukemia cancer, healthy cells in their bone marrow change into abnormal cells. The cells multiply and grow in number, which causes them to crowd out healthy blood cells and platelets. Cancer can affect different parts of the body. It can cause anemia, a loss of functional white cells (leukopenia), or an increased size of the liver and the spleen.
Doctors aren't sure what triggers certain cells to mutate and become leukemic. These mutations may render abnormal lymphocytes less effective at protecting the body from illness and other attacks. They could also affect blood cells' production in bone marrow.
Doctors may use blood tests to determine the stage of CLL. This is known as staging. This aids doctors in determining the best way to treat cancer.
A CBC test can find anemia, which is caused by too few red blood cells. Anemia can cause fatigue and low energy. It can also reduce the amount of oxygen that blood can deliver to tissues and organs. A CBC will also show low levels of platelets which are vital to clot blood. The thrombocytopenia condition can cause easy bruising, nose bleeds and bleeding gums.
Patients suffering from CLL may benefit from treatment that slows the growth of the cancer and offers them long periods of remission. They can also participate in clinical trials, which are research studies aiming to improve treatments already in place or to discover new ones.
