Predicting how CLL may behave (prognosis)

Doctors use cytogenetic tests to help predict how the CLL may behave and how it may respond to different types of treatment.

Cytogenetics Back to top

Cytogenetic tests look for any abnormal changes in the chromosomes of a cell.

• Between 30–50% of people (3–5 out of 10) with CLL have a cytogenetic change called del 13q in the leukaemia cells. People with this change often have a type of CLL that develops extremely slowly and doesn’t need any treatment for many years.
• Fewer than 10% of people (1 out of 10) have a cytogenetic change called del 17p. This makes the leukaemia more difficult to control. CLL with this change sometimes needs different treatment from other types of CLL.
• About 40–60% of people (4–6 out of 10) have other cytogenetic changes in their CLL cells, or none.

The leukaemia often needs treatment, but usually not immediately, and can be controlled for a number of years with treatment.