CLL chemotherapy is a treatment that is given to those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Before we go through the CLL chemotherapy treatment, let us first understand what CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia is followed by its causes and symptoms. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a kind of cancer of the bone marrow and blood. Bone marrow is a tissue inside the bone that is soft and spongy in nature and the blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. The reason why this condition is highlighted as chronic is because it develops slowly as compared to other types of leukemia. The second term in CLL that stands for lymphocytic signifies the group of white blood cells. This group of white blood cells is called the lymphocytes.

Causes and Symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Although a proper cause and the exact working of CLL is not determined yet, doctors and experts know for a fact that some change occurs in order to cause mutation in the DNA of the cells producing blood. Because of mutation, the blood cells produce ineffective and abnormal lymphocytes or a group of a particular kind of white blood cells that protects the body from infections. These abnormal lymphocytes tend to crowd the normal and healthy cells and interrupt the normal production of blood cells.

It is observed that normally many people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia do not recognize any symptoms. However, some do develop symptoms which include fever, fatigue and abdominal pain in the upper left portion caused because of an enlarged spleen, frequent occurrence of infections, night sweats and weight loss etc.

CLL Chemotherapy Treatment

CLL when in an early stage is generally not treated as it is believed and observed that early treatment for CLL does not improve the condition. The patient is left untreated but monitored regularly to notice any changes in the pattern of the condition. When the tests for blood counts, other tests and clinical symptoms suggest that the condition is progressing and it may affect the quality of life that is when they provide treatment to the patient with CLL. In many cases, CLL tends to relapse and so CLL chemotherapy is not just considered effective in newly diagnosed CLL but also is given in case of a relapsed CLL. Combination of chemotherapy drugs is what is generally used to treat CLL. Before undergoing chemotherapy, the patient is required to undergo certain tests in order to help the doctor determine the general health of the, the blood cell counts etc and then determine the kind of chemotherapy drugs and the dosage to be given for the treatment to be effective. The CLL chemotherapy treatment is given in different session and each treatment session is followed by a rest period for the body to recuperate from the possible side effects of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment. The CLL chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used to treat the condition include chlorambucil, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. These drugs are used in a combination of two or more. The commonly followed CLL chemotherapy regimens are as follows:

• FC = Fludarabine + Cyclophosphamide
• FCR = FC (Fludarabine + Cyclophosphamide ) chemotherapy + Rituximab
• FR = Fludarabine + Rituximab
• CHOP =Cyclophosphamide + Hydroxydaunorubicin / Doxorubicin + Oncovin / Vincristine + Prednisone. This is different than R-CHOP chemotherapy that is usually used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Please note that the CLL chemotherapy treatment combinations mentioned above are the most commonly administered drug combinations and not necessarily the same combination is used for every patient diagnosed with CLL. The combination of chemotherapy drugs may vary depending on the condition and other factors that may affect the condition.

CLL Chemotherapy Side Effects

Like any other chemotherapy treatment, CLL chemotherapy also has side effects. This is because ideally the chemotherapy drugs are only supposed to destroy the cancerous cells but actually it also affects the normal and healthy cells, causing certain side effects to the body. This is bound to happen as the drugs circulate in the blood and come into contact with the healthy cells as well. This is one drawback of chemotherapy treatment that is not changeable other than taking precautions and using medications for the side effects. Another drawback of chemotherapy is that it is not recommended for pregnant women, or those who are lactating, as the chemotherapy drugs might be absorbed in the milk. chemotherapy during pregnancy can harm the fetus.

Although the side effects of CLL chemotherapy varies from person to person, the commonly noticed side effects include anemia, mouth sores, fatigue, nausea, hair loss, less resistance to infections etc. Before you undergo the treatment for cancer, make sure that you check up the chemotherapy centers that specialize in that treatment.

Other than CLL chemotherapy, the other favored treatment options are targeted drug therapy and stem cell transplantation. Targeted drug therapy targets and kills leukemia cells by binding to a specific protein out of the many that are present on the leukemia cells. Rituxan, arzerra and campath are some of the drugs used in targeted drug therapy and they have side effects such as infections, fever and chills. Stem cell transplantation is less favorable though because of its high risks. Only patients who are young and have a high risk of survival time may be suggested by the doctor to opt for this treatment option.