What is the Condition Before CLL?

What Condition Comes Before CLL? 

The condition that comes before chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is called monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). The type of cancer cell is the same, the difference between the two is based on the number of cancer cells per microliter of blood. 

In MBL, the number of cancerous B-cells is below 5,000 cells per microliter of blood (5,000/uL). Once the number goes over 5,000 cancer cells per microliter of blood, the condition is labeled as CLL. MBL patients have a 1% chance of their MBL progressing into CLL each year. 

Precursor Condition to CLL Interview

Drs. Alvaro Alencar and Ravi Vij share more about the precursor condition of CLL. Watch their interview below. 

Summary

The condition before CLL is monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). If the number of cancer cells is less than 5,000 per microliter of blood, it is MBL. If it is over 5,000 per microliter of blood, it is CLL. Visit our CLL 101 pages here for more information related to areas like tests patients can expect to find cancer cells, when a patient qualifies to start treatment, and the types of CLL treatments patients can expect.