How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) characterized?

How is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) characterized?

• A. By the accumulation of neutrophils
• B. By the mutation of platelets
• C. By the accumulation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes
• D. By excessive production of red blood cells

Answer: (C)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes. In CLL, there is a clonal proliferation of these abnormal B cells, which typically exhibit a failure to undergo normal apoptosis, leading to an increased number of these cells in the bloodstream and bone marrow. These B lymphocytes are often unable to effectively participate in the immune response, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to infections. This accumulation disrupts normal hematologic functions, as the presence of these abnormal cells can crowd out normal cells, leading to various complications. The condition is typically slow-growing and insidious in nature, often presenting with mild lymphocytosis during routine blood tests. The other options reflect different hematological conditions or processes that do not apply to CLL. For example, the accumulation of neutrophils is more relevant in situations like chronic myeloid leukemia or certain infections, while mutations in platelets are associated with various types of platelet disorders. Excessive production of red blood cells is characteristic of polycythemia vera rather than CLL. Thus, the correct characterization of CLL focuses specifically on the ineffectively functioning B lymphocytes that dominate the clinical picture.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes. In CLL, there is a clonal proliferation of these abnormal B cells, which typically exhibit a failure to undergo normal apoptosis, leading to an increased number of these cells in the bloodstream and bone marrow. These B lymphocytes are often unable to effectively participate in the immune response, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to infections.

This accumulation disrupts normal hematologic functions, as the presence of these abnormal cells can crowd out normal cells, leading to various complications. The condition is typically slow-growing and insidious in nature, often presenting with mild lymphocytosis during routine blood tests.

The other options reflect different hematological conditions or processes that do not apply to CLL. For example, the accumulation of neutrophils is more relevant in situations like chronic myeloid leukemia or certain infections, while mutations in platelets are associated with various types of platelet disorders. Excessive production of red blood cells is characteristic of polycythemia vera rather than CLL. Thus, the correct characterization of CLL focuses specifically on the ineffectively functioning B lymphocytes that dominate the clinical picture.