CLL

Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology

CLL
Stands forChronic lymphocytic leukemia
CategoriesMedical

CLL stands for Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.

Slow-growing cancer of mature-appearing B lymphocytes, the most common leukemia in adults in Western countries, usually diagnosed after age 60, often on routine blood tests showing a high lymphocyte count. Many patients need no treatment for years.

Example: Lymphocytosis 28,000 with smudge cells, CD5+/CD23+ on flow: CLL, Rai stage 0, observation.

Usage notes

Staging uses the Rai (US) or Binet (Europe) systems, and early-stage disease without symptoms is monitored ("watch and wait"). Targeted therapies such as BTK inhibitors (ibrutinib, approved in 2014, and later acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib) and venetoclax with obinutuzumab have largely replaced chemotherapy. Patients are vulnerable to infections and secondary skin cancers. The same disease in lymph nodes is called small lymphocytic lymphoma.

More hematology and oncology abbreviations

  • CAPOX – Capecitabine and oxaliplatin
  • CAR-T – Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy
  • CAT – Cancer-associated thrombosis
  • CEA – Carcinoembryonic antigen
  • chemo – Chemotherapy
  • CHOP – Cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin (doxorubicin), Oncovin…
  • CML – Chronic myeloid leukemia
  • CR – Complete response
  • CRAB – Hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, bone lesions
  • CRS – Cytokine release syndrome
  • Cryo – Cryoprecipitate
  • CTCAE – Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events

See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.