Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a form of cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. It is a common type of leukemia that usually strikes adults during middle age and rarely affects children. The type of treatment and prognosis depend upon the stage of the cancer, blood cell counts and whether or not the cancer has metastasized.
Watchful Waiting
Patients with early stage CLL may not be treated since the disease is sometimes very slow to progress and there may be no symptoms at that point. These patients must undergo frequent comprehensive monitoring to track the progression of the cancer. Since most patients with this disease are middle age or older, the benefits of cancer treatment must be weighed against the risks.
Chemotherapy
Patients treated with chemotherapy are usually given single agents rather than combination therapy in order to limit the risk of side effects. According to University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, the most common chemotherapy agents for CLL are Leukeran, Fludara, Campath and Treanda. Younger, healthier patients often receive combination chemotherapy that utilizes Rituxan, Fludara and Cytoxan. These chemotherapy drugs work to stop the growth of cancerous cells by either killing them or preventing them from dividing.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is also used to treat CLL. External radiation beams are directed to the lymph nodes or the spleen. This is to help reduce symptoms caused by swollen nodes and an enlarged spleen. If radiation therapy is not successful surgical removal of the spleen may be necessary.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a form of cancer treatment that utilizes antibodies created in a laboratory for the purpose of targeting cancers cells or normal body cells that help cancer grow. These antibodies can attack the cells alone or they can carry drugs, radioactive material or toxins into these cells to destroy them.
Clinical Trials
Patients may choose to participate in a clinical trial in order to find a cure for their CLL. Clinical trials test the effectiveness of new drugs and therapies as well as the effectiveness of combining currently used chemotherapy drugs. Taking part in a clinical trial may be beneficial to CLL patients in the watchful, waiting stage in hopes of stopping the progression of their cancer. Clinical trials may also be beneficial to CLL patients who have relapsed and have no proven effective course of treatment to follow.
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