Primer on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Part I

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common leukemia in the Western world and is primarily a disease of the aging population. Its typically indolent course lends itself to an often long-term relationship between patients and primary care providers, who must be cognizant of the rapidity of recent developments in diagnostics, prognostic tools and markers, and current and emerging therapies. Primary care providers must be vigilant in the monitoring and managing of acute and chronic complications related to the immune dysfunction that is hallmark of the disease. Collaboration with specialty is key in providing superior, current, and cost-effective care for the patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.