Treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

If you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your needs and may include a combination of different treatments. When deciding which treatments to offer for CLL, your healthcare team will consider:

  • stage
  • your age
  • your overall health
  • your personal preferences

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2013: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003111-pdf.pdf.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic - CLL: Treatment Options. Alexandria, VA.: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); 2014: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/treatment-options.
  • Borthakur G, O'Brien S . Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related disorders. Wiernik PH, Goldman JM, Dutcher JP & Kyle RA (eds.). Neoplastic Diseases of the Blood. 5th ed. Springer; 2013: 9: pp. 121-119.
  • Mir Muhammad A . Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment & management. eMedicine.Medscape.com. WebMD LLC; 2014.
  • National Cancer Institute. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2014.
  • Wierda WG, O'Brien S . Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014: 134: pp. 1973-1987.

Treatments for low-risk CLL

Treatment for low-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia includes watchful waiting and supportive therapy. Learn about these treatments for low-risk CLL.

Treatments for intermediate-risk or high-risk CLL

Intermediate-risk and high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia have several treatment options. Learn about treatments for intermediate and high-risk CLL.

Treatments for relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia have several treatment options. Learn about treatments for relapsed or refractory CLL.

Hairy cell leukemia

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon type of lymphocytic leukemia and is usually slow growing. HCL can be treated with active observation, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Watchful waiting for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia may be watched closely and treated if symptoms develop or the cancer changes. Learn about watchful waiting for CLL.

Chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells and is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia for different reasons. Learn about chemotherapy for CLL.

Targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on the surface of cancer cells. Learn when it is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Surgery for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Surgery to remove the spleen is sometimes used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Learn about splenectomy and why it is used in treating CLL.

Radiation therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Radiation uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Learn about radiation therapy for CLL.

Supportive therapy

Supportive therapy is given to treat the complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and its treatments. Learn about supportive therapy for CLL.

Follow-up after treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Follow-up after chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment varies. Learn about follow-up appointments and the procedures and tests that may be done for CLL.