chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia
| CLL - most common of chronic lymphoid leukaemias | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | Indolent monoclonal proliferation of well-differentiated lymphocytes - most commonly B cells. Defined by >3/12 lymphocytosis. |
| Epidemiology | peak incidence age 60-80y, male:female 2:1 |
| Clinical presentation | Lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly (less common) FBC: anaemia (potentially AIHA), thrombocytopaenia, lymphocytosis |
| Investigations | Blood film: smear/smudge cells Bone marrow: Binet/Rai staging |
| Complications | warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia hypogammaglobulinaemia → recurrent infections transformation to high grade lymphoma |
| Management | If asymptomatic - active surveillance Else - tyrosine kinase inhibitors (...tinib) (amongst others) |