Monitoring CLL After Initial Diagnosis
Leukemia (CLL)
Monitoring CLL After Initial Diagnosis
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), not all patients need treatment at diagnosis. Only about a third of patients do. Dr. Nicole Lamanna, a leukemia specialist at Columbia University School of Medicine, says CLL grows very slowly and how often patients are seen depends upon the blood counts. During the early stages of the disease, people are monitored and get blood tests every few months in an active surveillance approach. But if their blood count is stable over several years, monitoring becomes less regular.
Only if the leukemia starts progressing very quickly will treatment options be recommended.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), not all patients need treatment at diagnosis. Only about a third of patients do. Dr. Nicole Lamanna, a leukemia specialist at Columbia University School of Medicine, says CLL grows very slowly and how often patients are seen depends upon the blood counts. During the early stages of the disease, people are monitored and get blood tests every few months in an active surveillance approach. But if their blood count is stable over several years, monitoring becomes less regular.
Only if the leukemia starts progressing very quickly will treatment options be recommended.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Treatment: An Overview
For patients diagnosed with CLL, the go-to treatment option is usually some form of chemo-immunotherapy. But this is not an option for all patients.
Treatment: Oral Medications
For patients diagnosed with CLL, the go-to treatment option is usually some form of chemo-immunotherapy. But this is not an option for all patients.