Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a blood cancer caused by disorders of the bone marrow. The word 'chronic' in lymphocytic leukemia indicates that the disease progresses or gets worse slowly. In other words, the patient does not feel any symptoms at the beginning of the condition. Symptoms can be felt when the cancer begins to spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia range from shortness of breath to susceptibility to infection. This condition will be better if it gets treatment immediately. If chronic lymphocytic leukemia does not get proper treatment, it has the potential to cause complications in the form of immune system disorders to the appearance of other types of cancer.
Causes of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Bone marrow is a tissue located in the middle of the bones and functions to produce some blood cells, including lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell and function to help the body fight infection.
In a person with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the function of the bone marrow is impaired, so the bone marrow produces too many immature and abnormal lymphocytes.
The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not known. However, there is a suspicion that the appearance of cancer that affects bone marrow function is a mutation or gene change.
There are several factors that are believed to increase a person's risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, namely:
- More than 60 years old.
- Have a family member who has had blood cancer.
- Frequent exposure to herbicides or insecticides.
Symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia generally does not cause symptoms at the beginning of its appearance. Patients only experience symptoms after a long period of suffering from this condition, or when the cancer begins to spread to the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.
The following are some of the symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
- The body feels very tired.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- There is a painless lump or swelling in the lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, abdomen, groin, or other areas of the body.
- Fever.
- Vulnerable to infection.
- Stomach hurts or feels full.
- Hard to breathe.
- Sweating at night.
Diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The diagnosis process begins with an examination of the patient's symptoms and medical history. After the initial process is complete, the diagnosis is continued by performing a blood test. The blood test aims to detect the number of white blood cells (especially lymphocytes), platelets, and red blood cells.
If the white blood cells in the body are detected high, the doctor will continue the examination with a bone marrow aspiration, as well as a biopsy. During the examination, the doctor will use a special needle to take samples of blood and tissue in the bone marrow. Once collected, the sample will be further examined in the laboratory.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy aim to determine the cause and detect how quickly the disease is progressing, as well as study the changes in the genes present. The results of the examination will be used by the doctor to determine the stage and the treatment method used.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment
The handling method used must be adjusted to the results of the previous examination. If the condition is still relatively mild and does not cause symptoms, intensive treatment is not needed. However, patients still have to have regular check-ups with an oncologist.
Intensive treatment is carried out when the patient's condition has worsened or symptoms appear. Some of the methods that can be used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia are:
- Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is done by giving special drugs, either by injection or by mouth, which serves to kill cancer cells. The drug given can be in the form of a single drug, such as: chlorambucil or fludarabine, or in the form of a combination drug.
- Targeted drug therapy. Just like chemotherapy, this method is also done by giving drugs. However, the drugs administered in targeted drug therapy serves to inhibit the protein used by cancer cells to survive and thrive. Examples of specific drugs used in this therapy are: rituximab.
- Bone marrow transplant. This method is performed by replacing damaged bone marrow cells with healthy bone marrow from a donor. Before a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, chemotherapy will be given first, 1 or 2 weeks before the transplant.
Treatment methods can cause a variety of different side effects. Get regular checkups and talk to your doctor about steps you can take to reduce the risk of side effects.
Complications of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
If not treated properly, chronic lymphocytic leukemia has the potential to cause complications. Complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are diverse, some of which are:
- Infection, generally occurs in the respiratory tract.
- Immune system disorders, so that the immune system can attack other normal blood cells.
- Cancer is becoming more aggressive. This condition is known as B-cell lymphoma or Richter syndrome.
- The emergence of other types of cancer, such as skin cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of the digestive tract.
