Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).[1][2]
Early on there are typically no symptoms.[1] Later non-painful lymph node swelling, feeling tired, fever, night sweats, or weight loss for no clear reason may occur.[1]
Risk factors include having a family history of the disease.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Media
This is an example of how a smudge cell looks on a peripheral blood smear, which is a common finding in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
A diagram showing the cells affected by CLL
Micrograph of a lymph node affected by B-CLL showing a characteristic proliferation center (right of image), composed of larger, lighter-staining, cells, H&E stain
Smudge cells in peripheral blood
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (in en). National Cancer Institute (26 October 2017). Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ↑ Boelens, J. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.. Anticancer Research 29 (2) (February 2009). p. 605–15.
