Diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: recommendations from the Brazilian Group of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Rodrigues CA1, Gonçalves MV2, Ikoma MR3, Lorand-Metze I4, Pereira AD5, Farias DL6, Chauffaille ML2, Schaffel R7, Ribeiro EF8, Rocha TS9, Buccheri V10, Vasconcelos Y11, Figueiredo VL12, Chiattone CS13, Yamamoto M14; Brazilian Group of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia..

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Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by clonal proliferation and progressive accumulation of B-cell lymphocytes that typically express CD19+, CD5+ and CD23+. The lymphocytes usually infiltrate the bone marrow, peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleen. The diagnosis is established by immunophenotyping circulating B-lymphocytes, and prognosis is defined by two staging systems (Rai and Binet) established by physical examination and blood counts, as well as by several biological and genetic markers. In this update, we present the recommendations from the Brazilian Group of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The following recommendations are based on an extensive literature review with the aim of contributing to more uniform patient care in Brazil and possibly in other countries with a similar social-economic profile.