What Causes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD
Chairman & Professor, Leukemia Department
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas
 

The causes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are not known. However, certain factors increase the chances that you may get the disease. These are called risk factors. The risk factors for CLL include:

  • Being middle-aged or older, male, or white.
  • A family history of CLL or cancer of the lymph system.
This content was last reviewed August 15, 2010 by Dr. Reshma L. Mahtani.
Latest Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia News
Leukemia patients at greatest risk of listeriosis

December 23, 2011 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with certain conditions, including leukemia, other cancers and pregnancy, are at the greatest risk of getting sick from the food-borne bacterium Listeria, French researchers report in a new study.

Gene therapy shown to destroy leukemia tumors

August 11, 2011 — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Scientists for the first time have used gene therapy to successfully destroy cancer tumors in patients with advanced disease -- a goal that has taken 20 years to achieve.

UK's NICE backs lymphoma drug maintenance therapy

May 24, 2011 — LONDON (Reuters) - Roche's cancer drug MabThera has been recommended for use on Britain's state health service as a maintenance therapy for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, expanding the market for the medicine.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health