Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

This chapter describes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). NHL is a complex and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by clonal proliferation f lymphocytes at different stages of maturation. There are approx 30 types of NHL with varying clinical, pathological, and genetic features. Understanding some of its biological features has provided insights into the clinical behavior of NHL. CLL is a neoplasm of monomorphic small, round lymphocytes of B cell origin in 98% of the cases. It is the most frequent type of leukemia in the United States and Europe where the majority of patients are older than 50; it has a male:female ratio of 2:1. CLL remains an incurable, chronic disease with a variable survival depending on clinical stage at presentation. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.