chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Definition
Noun: A specific type of chronic leukemia characterized by the slow, progressive accumulation of mature-appearing but functionally abnormal lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissues. It is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, particularly in older men.
Usage
This is a medical term used primarily in healthcare, scientific, and patient education contexts. * The doctor explained that the blood test confirmed a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. * Research into new treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is ongoing. * Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia may not require immediate treatment and are often monitored with a "watch and wait" approach.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often abbreviated as CLL in medical notes and literature.
- His CLL has been stable for several years without intervention.
Variants and Related Words
- CLL: The standard acronym for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Leukemia: The broader category of blood and bone marrow cancers to which CLL belongs.
- Lymphocyte: The type of white blood cell that becomes cancerous in CLL.
- Chronic leukemia: A classification for leukemias that progress more slowly than acute forms.
Synonyms
- CLL (acronym)
- Chronic lymphoid leukemia (a less common but synonymous variant of the term)
Related Phrases
- Watch and wait / Active surveillance: A common initial management strategy for asymptomatic CLL.
- B-cell CLL: The most common form, specifying that the cancer originates in B lymphocytes.
Noun
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chronic leukemia characterized by lymphoblast-like cells; more common in older men