Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors 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.
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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