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Edited by
Terry Hamblin, Steve Johnson & Andrew Miles
 

225pp ISBN 1 903044 44 8
 

In Western countries, leukaemia affects about 1-2% of the population with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), one of the most intriguing of the lymphoid neoplasms, representing the most common form of leukaemia and accounting for approximately 30% of cases. There is increasing evidence that a subset of CLL involves inherited susceptibility and ongoing genetic studies are set to provide data not only in support of this association but, importantly, on the pathogenesis of CLL more generally. Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities in CLL have now been described in around 50% of cases and morphological and immunophenotypic analyses as part of studies of the natural history of CLL show a truly remarkable variation in the clinical behaviour and outcome of disease. The diagnosis of CLL is increasingly based on a constellation of clinical and laboratory features and modern prognostic factors and their role in evaluating the impact of treatment of early disease and the place of 'watchful waiting' are exciting areas of evolving research. The scientific evidence and expert clinical opinion base for first and second line medical intervention in CLL continues to develop, with the advent of new drugs used singly and in combination and the place of stem cell transplantation, both autologous and allogeneic, being increasingly defined. All of these developments, considered alongside significant recent progress in the understanding and management of infective and autoimmune complications in CLL, the generation of new knowledge in important trials such as CLL4, and the development of clinical practice guidelines for CLL, are contributing to clear advances in the effective management of the disease.