Is CLL Genetic?

Lydia Scarfò, MD from the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milano, Italy stated they have seen that first-degree relatives of CLL patients are at a higher risk of developing CLL in the future. CLL, however, is a rare disease; even those with a higher genetic predisposition risk still have a low chance of developing the cancer. 

Doctor Scarfò stated if parents, siblings, or children of the CLL patient have no signs or symptoms of CLL, there is no clear advantage to getting tested early. This is because patients are only treated if signs and symptoms of CLL are present. 

To watch Doctor Scarfò's full interview, see below: