CLL Treatment – CLL cancer or Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a type of leukemia that typically affects older adults. This disease begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made, and eventually moves into the blood. CLL cancer can be difficult to treat because it progresses slowly and does not respond well to chemotherapy. However, there are new treatments available that may be more effective. CLL cancer usually impacts the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. These cells help fight infection and disease.
In CLL cancer, the lymphocytes become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably. The abnormal cells crowd out the healthy cells in the bone marrow, making it difficult for the body to produce new blood cells. CLL symptoms often do not appear in the diseases' early stages. As it progresses, CLL symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and enlarged lymph nodes. CLL cancer is diagnosed with a blood test and bone marrow biopsy. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. CLL cancer is a serious disease, but with treatment, many people live for many years.
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. It occurs when the body produces abnormal blood cells, which crowd out the healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute leukemia is fast-growing cancer that requires immediate treatment. Chronic leukemia is slower-growing cancer that progresses over time. There are several types of leukemia, which are classified by the type of blood cell that is affected. The most common type of leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia or CLL cancer.
CLL Diagnosis and Types of Cancer
There are two main types of CLL cancer:
- B-cell CLL cancer: This type of leukemia starts in the B-cells, which are a type of white blood cell. B-cell CLL cancer is the most common type of CLL cancer.
- T-cell CLL cancer: This type of leukemia starts in the T-cells, which are a type of white blood cell. T-cell CLL cancer is less common than B-cell CLL cancer.
CLL can also be classified by how it progresses:
- Indolent CLL: This type of CLL cancer progresses slowly and does not respond well to chemotherapy.
- Aggressive CLL: This type of CLL cancer progresses quickly and responds well to chemotherapy.
CLL cancer can also be classified by the stage it is in:
- Stage I: The cancer is found in only one area and is small.
- Stage II: The cancer is found in one or more areas but is still small.
- Stage III: The cancer is found in one or more areas and is medium-sized.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
CLL diagnosis usually happens with a blood test and bone marrow biopsy. A blood test can determine the levels of white blood cells in the blood. A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure that removes a small piece of bone from the hipbone to look at under a microscope. This procedure can help determine if cancer has spread to the bone marrow.
CLL Treatment and Prevention
There are several types of CLL treatment, which include:
- Chemotherapy: This type of treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: This type of treatment uses drugs or radiation to kill cancer cells with a specific target.
- Immunotherapy (The CC Formula): This treatment uses the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.
CLL treatment frequently depends on the stage of cancer, the person's age and health, and other factors. CLL support includes prevention. Several things can be done to help prevent CLL cancer:
- Getting vaccinated: CLL support and prevention are benefitted by vaccines. Vaccines can help protect against certain viruses that can increase the risk of CLL cancer.
- Avoiding contact with radiation: exposure to radiation can increase the risk of CLL cancer.
- Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke: Smoking increases the risk of CLL cancer.
- Staying healthy: Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding too much alcohol can help reduce the risk of CLL cancer.
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