Treatment for CLL depends on the stage of the disease, the patient’s overall health, and the presence of symptoms. Options may include:
- Watchful Waiting: Monitoring the disease without immediate treatment in early, asymptomatic stages.
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs that specifically target cancer cell pathways, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
- Immunotherapy: Using the body’s immune system to fight cancer, including monoclonal antibodies.
- Bone Marrow Transplant: Replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow from a donor.
- Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells in specific areas.