Treatment Options for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Factors Influencing Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

As noted previously, the symptoms and clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progress slowly in most patients with the disease. Although a variety of factors can affect survival, the single most important prognostic indicator is the stage of the disease. Approximately 50% of CLL patients who are diagnosed in the early stage of the disease live for 12 years or longer. In contrast, about 50% of patients with advanced stage CLL survive 2 years or less.

In addition to the stage of the disease, other factors that can influence the prognosis for patients with CLL include:

• Age - In general, elderly CLL patients (65 years or older) have a shorter 5-year survival time than patients with CLL younger than age 65.
• The patient's response to initial treatment
• Recurrence of disease following initial treatment
• Development of CLL-related complications (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia; infections; secondary cancers)
• The extent of lymphocytosis in the bone marrow