Diagnosing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) begins with blood tests. Bone marrow biopsies and imaging may be done if needed to confirm the diagnosis and assess disease progression.
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- Indolent CLL: Slow-growing and may not require treatment for years. Patients are often monitored using a “watch and wait” approach. People with indolent CLL may not show any symptoms.
- Aggressive CLL: Fast-growing and usually requires more immediate treatment. People with aggressive CLL often have symptoms of the disease.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures white blood cell levels and detects abnormalities.
- Flow Cytometry: Identifies cancerous lymphocytes and their characteristics.
- FISH (Fluorescence in situ Hybridization): Detects genetic abnormalities in CLL cells.
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Identifies genetic mutations that affect prognosis and treatment.
- Biomarker Testing: Helps tailor treatment options based on molecular changes.
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What Should You Know About CLL Genetic Testing?
What Tests Should I Get Before Seeing a CLL Specialist?
How Is Flow Cytometry Used in CLL?
Which Tests Do You Need Before Deciding on a CLL Treatment Path?
- TP53 Mutation: Associated with more aggressive disease and resistance to treatment.
- IGHV Mutation Status: Helps predict disease progression and response to therapy.
- Del(17p) and Del(11q): Genetic deletions that influence treatment approaches.
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CLL Genetic Markers: What Should I Ask About Prognostic Factors?
IGHV-Mutated vs IGHV-Unmutated CLL | What’s the Difference?
CLL Genetic Markers: What Should I Ask About Prognostic Factors?
Provides CLL patients with key information to help them understand their role, empowering them to engage in their care and treatment decisions
Topics:
- Understanding CLL and Your Role in Your Care
- Understanding CLL Treatment
- Entendiendo CLL y tu rol en el cuidado de tu CLL
- Entendiendo tratamiento de la CLL
Will help you understand the importance of essential biomarker testing before key decisions are made in your care—including following a reoccurrence.
Topics:
- Understanding CLL Testing
- CLL Treatment Decisions
Bridges the expert and patient voice, enabling patients to feel comfortable asking precise questions of their healthcare team
Topics:
- CLL Basics, Diagnosis, and Monitoring
- CLL Progression and Risk Factors
- CLL Treatment Approaches
- CLL Side Effects and Quality of Life
- CLL Genetics, Prognostic Factors and Subtypes
- Support for Living with CLL
