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Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in blood cells. Cancer occurs when cells in the body grow out of control. There are different types of leukemias, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
CLL is generally a slow-growing cancer, so you may not have cancer symptoms for years. In other cases, the cancer can grow rapidly.
What happens in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is that many abnormal B lymphocytes are produced, these displace healthy cells in the bone marrow, which results in a decrease in white blood cells and platelets.
As a result of the above, patients are tired, lose weight and are more likely to get sick. CLL can also spread to the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, causing these organs to enlarge.
Signs and symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Bibliography
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Patients: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, 2019
American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/leukemia-linfocitica-cronica/deteccion-diagnostico-clasificacion-por-etapas/senales-sintomas.htm