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SPEAKER: Chronic lymphocytic
leukemia-- or CLL--
is a type of cancer that happens
in your blood and bone marrow,
the spongy tissue
inside your bones.
While the exact cause isn't
known, doctors do know
that something happens to change
the genetic code
inside your cells
that make white blood cells.
Normally, these cells
help your body fight infection,
but because of the change--
called a mutation--
faulty white blood cells that
don't work like they should
are made instead.
These damaged blood cells build
up in your bone marrow,
crowding out healthy cells,
and keeping new blood cells
from being made.
As they continue to grow,
they can spread to your blood
and build up in your organs.
CLL gets worse slowly,
and many people don't have
symptoms at first.
Over time, you could have
swollen lymph nodes, a fever,
a tired feeling, belly pain,
night sweats, weight loss,
or more frequent infections.
You're more likely to get CLL
if you're middle-aged or older,
have been
around certain chemicals,
or if a family member has had
blood or bone cancer.
To see if you have
chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
your doctor will run some tests
on your blood, bone marrow,
and lymph nodes.
If your CLL is
in the early stages, you may not
need treatment right away.
If you do, your treatment will
depend on your cancer stage,
symptoms, total health,
and preferences.
Treatment options can include
chemotherapy, targeted drugs,
immunotherapy, and bone marrow
transplant.
For more information
about chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, talk to your doctor.
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