Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a clonic proliferation of mature B-cells.
Background
In chronic leukemias, we see an accumulation of mature, mutated myeloid cells. The cells will undergo uncontrolled proliferation due to hyperactivated tyrosine kinases or other signaling pathway alterations.
- Chronic leukemias have a slow progression, and they can progress into acute leukemias (but not the other way around!)
- Incutable
- Mostly affect older patients.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic = slow onset, of mature cells; lymphocytic = of lymphoid lineage (specifically, B-cells); leukemia = cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
- CD5+ B-cells undergo malignant transformation and begin to proliferate, accumulating further genetic