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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffChronic lymphocytic leukemia may cause complications such as:
- Frequent infections. People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may experience frequent infections. In most cases, these infections are common infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. But sometimes more-serious infections can develop.
- A switch to a more aggressive form of cancer. A small number of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may develop a more aggressive form of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Doctors sometimes refer to this switch as Richter's syndrome.
- Increased risk of other cancers. People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have an increased risk of other types of cancer, including skin cancer, such as melanoma, and cancers of the lung and the digestive tract.
- Immune system problems. A small number of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may develop an immune system problem that causes the disease-fighting cells of the immune system to mistakenly attack the red blood cells or the platelets.
References
- Kipps TJ. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related diseases. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=69. Accessed Sept. 16, 2010.
- Grever MR, et al. Chronic lymphoid leukemias. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2007:2293.
- Elphee EE. Caring for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2008;12:417.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CLL/patient/allpages. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Arzerra (prescribing information). Research Park Triangle, N.C.: GlaxoSmithKline; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/125326lbl.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Cancer-related fatigue. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/fatigue.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Shanafelt TD, et al. Phase I trial of daily oral polyphenon E in patients with asymptomatic Rai stage 0 to II chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2009;27:3808.
- Green tea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
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