Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Overview

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of leukemia in adults. In some people, chronic lymphocytic leukemia can remain slow-growing for years (such as in individuals with hairy cell leukemia) and may never require treatment. In others, treatment may be needed as soon as the disease is discovered.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Team approach. At Mayo Clinic, experts from many specialties, including hematology, adult stem cell transplant, infectious diseases, pathology, immunology and genetics, work together to ensure you receive all of the expertise needed to correctly identify and treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors treat thousands of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia each year, including approximately 300 people with new cases of the disease annually. 
• Research. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic ranks in the top tier of cancer centers in the United States for cancer research. Because of this designation, you have access to leading-edge diagnosis and treatment-related clinical trials at Mayo Clinic. Researchers are playing a lead role in investigating the cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, testing the effectiveness of new drug or antibody combinations, and determining why the disease is more common in some families.
• Time for you. Doctors take the time to listen to you about your problem, to explain your options and answer your questions.

Read more about chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia at MayoClinic.com.