Fast Facts For Patients Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing type of blood cancer and the most common form of leukemia in adults. CLL results in large numbers of abnormal B lymphocytes in the bone marrow and prevents the production of healthy blood cells. It is more commonly diagnosed in older people: almost 80% of cases are in people over 60 years old. Changes in chromosomes or genes in some patients affect how the disease develops and what treatment is prescribed. CLL cannot be completely cured but many people will have a normal lifespan and a good quality of life.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most diagnosed leukemia in the Western world, accounting for approximately 25% of all new leukemia diagnoses. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of both the pathophysiology and genetics of CLL. While the disease generally affects older adults and initially follows an indolent course, cytogenetic and molecular profiling have helped to predict clinical outcomes. Greater prognostication, alongside the development of an increasing armamentarium of novel targeted therapies, has enabled us to provide more personalized management options for patients. 'Fast Facts: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia' covers the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and staging of the disease, and the molecular and genetic aspects that underpin treatment and prognosis. It provides a concise overview of treatment options, in both the front-line and relapsed/refractory settings, with particular focus on the novel targeted agents that have overcome many adverse prognostic factors, improving overall survival. Table of Contents: • Epidemiology and etiology • Molecular biology and genetics • Diagnosis, staging and prognosis • Management • Research directions

Leukemia is a hematologic malignancy arising from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow. Starting with a detailed description of hematopoiesis and what goes wrong in leukemia, this concise guide covers all aspects of the four most common subtypes of the disease. Although the incidence and prevalence of leukemia are rising worldwide, survival rates are also increasing. However, both the effects of the disease and the adverse effects of treatment remain complex challenges. Yet, as our understanding of the molecular landscape increases, therapeutic options are becoming more personalized. This revised and updated second edition of 'Fast Facts: Leukemia' addresses the causes and risk factors for each subtype of leukemia, the initial and confirmatory diagnostic tests, and the latest treatment options. Designed as a comprehensive primer for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, primary care providers, oncology nurses, hematology/ oncology trainees and pharmacists, this resource will help the non-specialist and those in training to identify leukemia early and provide a thorough understanding of the pathology and genetic basis of the disease, treatment options, and effective approaches to emergency and supportive care. Table of Contents: • Understanding blood and its components • What is leukemia? • Epidemiology, etiology and risk factors • Diagnosis • Staging and general management • Supportive care • Emergencies in leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing type of blood cancer and the most common form of leukemia in adults. CLL results in large numbers of abnormal B lymphocytes in the bone marrow and prevents the production of healthy blood cells. It is more commonly diagnosed in older people: almost 80% of cases are in people over 60 years old. Changes in chromosomes or genes in some patients affect how the disease develops and what treatment is prescribed. CLL cannot be completely cured but many people will have a normal lifespan and a good quality of life.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most diagnosed leukemia in the Western world, accounting for approximately 25% of all new leukemia diagnoses. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of both the pathophysiology and genetics of CLL. While the disease generally affects older adults and initially follows an indolent course, cytogenetic and molecular profiling have helped to predict clinical outcomes. Greater prognostication, alongside the development of an increasing armamentarium of novel targeted therapies, has enabled us to provide more personalized management options for patients. Table of Contents • Epidemiology and etiology • Molecular biology and genetics • Diagnosis, staging and prognosis • Management • Research directions

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most diagnosed leukemia in the Western world, accounting for approximately 25% of all new leukemia diagnoses. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of both the pathophysiology and genetics of CLL. While the disease generally affects older adults and initially follows an indolent course, cytogenetic and molecular profiling have helped to predict clinical outcomes. Greater prognostication, alongside the development of an increasing armamentarium of novel targeted therapies, has enabled us to provide more personalized management options for patients. 'Fast Facts: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia' covers the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and staging of the disease, and the molecular and genetic aspects that underpin treatment and prognosis. It provides a concise overview of treatment options, in both the front-line and relapsed/refractory settings, with particular focus on the novel targeted agents that have overcome many adverse prognostic factors, improving overall survival. Table of Contents: • Epidemiology and etiology • Molecular biology and genetics • Diagnosis, staging and prognosis • Management • Research directions

Leukemia is a hematologic malignancy arising from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow. Starting with a detailed description of hematopoiesis and what goes wrong in leukemia, this concise guide covers all aspects of the four most common subtypes of the disease. Although the incidence and prevalence of leukemia are rising worldwide, survival rates are also increasing. However, both the effects of the disease and the adverse effects of treatment remain complex challenges. Yet, as our understanding of the molecular landscape increases, therapeutic options are becoming more personalized. This revised and updated second edition of 'Fast Facts: Leukemia' addresses the causes and risk factors for each subtype of leukemia, the initial and confirmatory diagnostic tests, and the latest treatment options. Designed as a comprehensive primer for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, primary care providers, oncology nurses, hematology/ oncology trainees and pharmacists, this resource will help the non-specialist and those in training to identify leukemia early and provide a thorough understanding of the pathology and genetic basis of the disease, treatment options, and effective approaches to emergency and supportive care. Table of Contents: • Understanding blood and its components • What is leukemia? • Epidemiology, etiology and risk factors • Diagnosis • Staging and general management • Supportive care • Emergencies in leukemia

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib was the first treatment to specifically target cancer cells, rather than the relatively indiscriminate effects of conventional chemotherapy on any rapidly dividing cells. This concept of targeted treatment in cancer is one of the important advances in modern medicine in the last 30 years. Indeed, treatment with TKIs has transformed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a cancer with a poor prognosis to one in which many patients can expect a normal lifespan. Success with the TKIs has prompted the question of whether it is desirable – or feasible – for patients to remain on treatment for long periods. While the TKIs are targeted, they are associated with considerable toxicity, and long-term treatment has important economic implications for health services and patients. Thus, the concept of treatment-free remission (TFR) has emerged for patients in deep clinical remission. Clinical research over the last decade has focused on whether treatment can be stopped, how to best monitor patients while off treatment, and how to intervene before a clinical relapse. As this research progresses, the tantalizing prospect of a cure for some patients seems increasingly feasible. This new Fast Facts title outlines this trail-blazing approach to the long-term management of patients living with CML in remission. It explains the concepts of molecular and hematologic relapse, the highly sensitive technologies that allow disease monitoring, and how TFR is best managed in practice. It is a concise educational resource, ideal for any healthcare professional involved in the treatment of patients with CML who wants to understand TFR, particularly clinical nurse specialists and pharmacists who increasingly help clinicians to run CML clinics. Table of Contents: • The concept of treatment-free remission • Measurement of disease burden • Clinical practice • Future directions