Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - Primarily found in adults older than 50 years of age, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (also known as CLL) is a blood and bone marrow disease characterized by the over-production of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections) and a loss of apoptosis (programmed cell death).

One of the four main types of leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia can affect several different types of lymphocytes. Most people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have B-cell CLL, but some have T-cell or NK-cell (natural killer cell) CLL. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is known as a chronic leukemia because it normally progresses more slowly (often over the course of many years) than acute leukemia. CLL is the second most common type of leukemia in adults.

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