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Family Member Has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Leukemia can affect many parts of the body, including the organs of the cardiovascular and digestive systems. But what are the major symptoms of leukemia?...
My husband and I have just found out about his mother being diagnosed with CLL. I have read all of the information I can find on the net about this, but would like to hear from someone with personal experience. How long can her numbers stay stable before they start to rise? Will she have to have chemotherapy before they rise? Any input would be appreciated.
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replied November 15th, 2007
Extremely eHealthy
This type of leukemia can be unpredictable and can behave aggressively in some people.
What are her last white blood cells counts?
What kind of symptoms she has?
Has she been tested to see how much the cancer has spread (staging the disease)?
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replied November 15th, 2007
Cll
Her white blood cell count was (29000) I believe that is what she said... Not sure though. I don't think it is in her lymphnodes yet. But we are not sure. She has not told us the stage yet. She is tired alot. She has lot alittle weight. She don't tell us everything so I don't know how far advanced it is. Thanks for your help.
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replied November 20th, 2007
Extremely eHealthy
The abnormal lymphocytes multiply slowly, but in a poorly regulated manner. They live much longer and thus their numbers build up in the body.
A WBC over 30,000 always indicates massive infection or a serious disease such as leukemia.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) often has no symptoms at first and may remain undetected for a long time.
The treatment depends on the specific type of chronic leukemia and its stage.
Chemotherapy is generally the treatment of choice.

Is she experiences shortness of breath?
Does she suffers from frequent infections?
Is she bleeding and bruising easily?
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replied November 20th, 2007
Some days she does experience shortness of breath. The only infections that I know about are sinus infections. She had to have sinus surgery 2 weeks ago. They sent it off to be tested and we haven't received the results on that yet. I'm not sure about the bleeding but I know that she bruises easily. When she first got the news about the CLL her count was 29000. After she had her surgery and was on an antibiotic the blood work showed the WBC to be 23000. I am beginngin to wonder if the sinus infection had something to do with the WBC being so high. They have not done a bone marrow aspiration on her yet. How do they know for sure that they are dealing with CLL. Again, Thank you for all of your help.
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replied November 22nd, 2007
Extremely eHealthy
People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are at increased risk of developing certain infections or a secondary cancer.
From the symptoms and signs she has, seems like she is in advanced phases of leukemia (shortness of breath is caused by shortage of red blood cells; frequent infections-sinus infection are often because the white blood cells aren't functioning properly; easy bleeding and bruising, including frequent or severe nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, or tiny red marks caused by bleeding into the skin are due to a shortage of blood platelets)

Does she feel bone and joint pain?
Is she having swelling of the liver and spleen, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach or groin?

Doctor typically examines blood or bone marrow samples under a microscope and classifies blood cells into specific types based on their size, shape and other features. This helps establish the type and subtype of leukemia.
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