Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Factors that may increase the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include:

  • Your age. Most people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are over 60.
  • Your sex. Men are more likely than are women to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  • Your race. Whites are more likely to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia than are people of other races.
  • Family history of blood and bone marrow cancers. A family history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other blood and bone marrow cancers may increase your risk.
  • Exposure to chemicals. Certain herbicides and insecticides, including Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War, have been linked to an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Complications Causes
References
  1. 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.
  2. Grever MR, et al. Chronic lymphoid leukemias. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2007:2293.
  3. Elphee EE. Caring for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2008;12:417.
  4. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CLL/patient/allpages. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  5. 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.
  6. Cancer-related fatigue. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/fatigue.pdf. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  7. 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.
  8. Green tea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
DS00565 Nov. 24, 2010

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