blood disorders
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Treatment of CLL
Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Because CLL progresses slowly, many people do not need treatment for years, Doctors usually wait to begin treatment until one or more of the following occur The number of lymphocytes begins to increase and cause symptoms The lymph nodes, liver, or spleen enlarge The number of red blood cells or platelets decreases Drugs, including Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Cancer Treatments and There is no standard combination of drugs that is used for CLL. Initial drug treatment usually includes drugs such asfludarabineandcyclophosphamide, which kill cancer cells by interacting with DNA. Currently, chemotherapy and a monoclonal antibody calledrituximabare also used to treat CLL. This combination therapy usually is successful in controlling CLL (inducing remission). Eventually, most CLL becomes resistant to these drugs. Treatments with other drugs or other monoclonal antibodies are then considered. may be used in older adults with both CLL and other illnesses. Sometimes, Stem Cell Transplantation can be done in people who have relapsed. Acalabrutinibandzanubrutinibhave recently become available to treat CLL. They may cause fewer side effects thanibrutinib. Anemia is treated with Overview of Blood Transfusion and occasionally with injections of erythropoietin or darbepoietin (drugs that stimulate red blood cell formation). A low platelet count may cause bleeding and is treated with platelet transfusions. Infections are treated with antimicrobials. Radiation therapy is used to shrink enlarged lymph nodes or an enlarged liver or spleen if the enlargement is causing discomfort and chemotherapy is ineffective. 