<body><div><p>B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that causes abnormal B cells, a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies.</p><p>Leukemia is a broad term for cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow. B-cell CLL is the most common type of CLL.</p><p>This article outlines what B-cell CLL is and explains its symptoms, causes, complications, and risk factors.</p><h2>What is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2ji65G_0vC8Ets200" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ji65G_0vC8Ets200" width="1024" height="575" ><figcaption>Peter Dazeley/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>B cells are </p><p>white blood cell. They make antibodies and are a part of the immune system.</p><p>B cells develop in the bone marrow. Medical professionals sometimes call B cells B lymphocytes.</p><p>B-cell CLL is a type of cancer </p><p>the development of too many abnormal B cells. It begins in the bone marrow and slowly spreads to the blood. </p><p>Medical professionals sometimes refer to these abnormal B cells as leukemia cells. The leukemia cells cannot fight infection very well.</p><p>CLL also causes the number of these leukemia cells to continue to build up in the blood and bone marrow. This means there is less room for healthy blood cells in the blood and bone marrow.</p><p>chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).</p><h2>Symptoms of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia</h2><p>B-cell CLL </p><p>no symptoms in the early stages. However, as the condition develops, symptoms may begin to occur.</p><p>As the cancerous B cells spread around the body, they </p><p>:</p><ul><li>weakness</li><li>swollen lymph nodes in the: </li><li>neck</li><li>underarm</li><li>groin</li><li>stomach</li></ul><ul><li>infection</li><li>easy bruising or bleeding</li><li>unexplained weight loss</li></ul><p>The large numbers of these cancerous B cells also cause the number of healthy B cells to drop. The decrease in healthy B cells can reduce a person’s ability to fight infections, meaning they have an increased risk of infection.</p><h2>Causes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia</h2><p>Medical professionals </p><p>the exact cause of B-cell CLL. However, they believe genetics may play a role in its development.</p><p>Chromosomes are long DNA molecules. Before cells divide into two new cells, they </p><p>of the DNA in their chromosomes. When this happens, errors may occur that can affect genes within a person’s DNA.</p><p>Certain genes play important roles in helping cells grow and divide, including:</p><ul><li><b>Oncogenes:</b> These are genes that promote cell growth and division.</li><li><b>Tumor suppressor genes:</b> These are genes that slow down cell division. They also cause cells to die at a specific time.</li></ul><p>A person may develop cancer if DNA mutations turn oncogenes on or tumor suppressor genes off.</p><p>Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. In most cases of CLL, medical professionals can observe a mutation in at least one of these chromosomes. </p><p>Scientists are aware that these mutations are important in the development of CLL. However, they do not fully understand how they cause the condition to develop.</p><p>In some rare cases, a person may inherit DNA mutations from a parent that can increase their risk of developing certain cancers. However, DNA changes related to CLL most often develop during a person’s lifetime, meaning the person did not inherit them from a parent.</p><h2>Risk factors</h2><p>Possible risk factors for B-cell CLL </p><p>:</p><ul><li>smoking</li><li>exposure to certain chemicals</li><li>exposure to radiation</li></ul><h2>Potential complications of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia</h2><p>There are a number of possible complications of B-cell CLL. These </p><p>:</p><ul><li><b>Increased risk of infections:</b> People with CLL are at an increased risk of infections, particularly respiratory tract infections.</li><li><b>Richter transformation:</b> In rare cases, a person’s CLL may progress into large B-cell lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma. Medical professionals refer to this transformation as “Richter transformation” or “Richter’s syndrome.” </li><li><b>Immune system disorders:</b> Another rare complication of CLL is the development of immune system disorders. These disorders occur when the immune system begins to attack the body’s own healthy cells, such as red blood cells or platelets.</li><li><b>Increased risk of other cancers:</b> CLL can also increase a person’s risk of developing other forms of cancer. These cancers may include: </li></ul><ul><li>cancers of the gastrointestinal tract</li></ul><h2>Treatment for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia</h2><p>Possible treatments for CLL </p><p>:</p><ul><li><b>Chemotherapy:</b> During chemotherapy treatment, a medical professional will administer drugs that can stop the growth of cancer cells. They do this by killing the cells or preventing them from dividing. A medical professional may administer these drugs via an injection or orally.</li><li><b>Radiation therapy:</b> Radiation therapy uses high powered X-rays and other types of radiation to treat CLL. They do this by killing cancer cells or preventing them from growing. A medical professional uses a machine outside the body to send the radiation toward the area where the cancer cells are present.</li><li><b>Targeted therapy:</b> Targeted therapy uses medications that can target specific proteins on cancer cells. The medications can then destroy these cancer cells or slow their growth. </li><li><b>Immunotherapy:</b> Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses a person’s immune system to help fight cancer. Immunotherapy medications help boost the immune system, helping it fight cancer.</li></ul><h2>When to see a doctor</h2><p>If a person has early stage CLL, a medical professional </p><p>in blood test results that they have carried out for another reason.</p><p>However, if a person experiences symptoms of CLL, they should contact a healthcare professional. These symptoms include:</p><ul><li>fatigue and weakness</li><li>swollen lymph nodes</li><li>fever</li><li>constant infections</li><li>easy bruising or bleeding</li><li>unexplained weight loss</li><li>night sweats</li></ul><h2>Frequently asked questions</h2><h2>What is the life expectancy of someone with chronic lymphocytic leukemia?</h2><p>The 5-year relative survival rate for a disease </p><p>the percentage of people who live for at least 5 years after they have received a diagnosis.</p><p>According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year relative survival rate for CLL is </p><p>88.5%</p><p>.</p><h2>Is chronic lymphocytic leukemia curable?</h2><p>Medical professionals </p><p>usually cure CLL. However, many people with CLL can live a long time. </p><p>Early treatment of CLL may not help people live longer and may cause certain side effects. For this reason, medical professionals often suggest waiting until the cancer causes more severe symptoms before they start treating CLL.</p><h2>Summary</h2><p>B-cell CLL is a type of cancer that affects B cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for immune function.</p><p>B-cell CLL occurs when abnormal B cells accumulate in the bone marrow and blood. This impairs the body’s ability to fight infections and crowds out healthy blood cells. </p><p>Symptoms of CLL may include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and an increased risk of infections. </p><p>Medical professionals do not know the exact cause of CLL, but genetic mutations and exposure to certain checmicals may contribute to its development. </p><p>Complications of CLL can include increased infections, immune system disorders, and a heightened risk of other cancers. </p><p>Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. </p></div></body>

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What to know about B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that causes abnormal B cells, a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. Leukemia is a broad term for cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow. B-cell CLL is the most common type of CLL. This article outlines...

What to know about B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

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