Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Causes & Risk Factors

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) causes a slow increase in the number of white blood cells called B cells in the bone marrow. The cancerous cells spread from the blood marrow to the blood, and can also affect the lymph nodes and other organs. CLL eventually causes the bone marrow to fail and weakens the immune system.

The reason for this increase in B cells is unknown. There is no link to radiation, cancer-causing chemicals, or viruses.

CLL primarily effects adults. The average age of patients with this type of leukemia is 70. It is rarely seen in people younger than 40. The disease is more common in Jewish people of Russian or East European descent, and is uncommon in Asians.

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