Original article
English
Majda Elshukri, Mohamed Lateiwish
Department of Medicine, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi, Libya.
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol. 22, No.2. 2005:29-32
Abstract
Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a monoclonal disorder characterized by a progressive accumulation of functionally incompetent lymphocytes.
Aims: Evaluation of CLL Rai staging system and identification of patients at high risk at the time of diagnosis. Evaluation of CLL complications at the time of diagnosis.
Materials and Methods: The studied population consists of all patients registered at the hematological unit (Jamahiriya hospital – Benghazi). with a diagnosis of CLL during 10 years period (1994 – 2003). Clinical and laboratory characteristics at the time of diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: There were 50 CLL patients during this study period. 34 (68%) were males and 16 (32cf) were females. Out of 50 patients. 31(62%) were aged > 60 years. 7 (14%) were asymptomatic while 43 (86%) were symptomatic. According to Rai staging system, 2 patients (4.0%) were in stage 0, 2 patients (4.0%) were in stage I. 13 patients (26%) were in stage IT, 17 patients (34%) were in stage III and 16 patients (32%) were in stage IV. Patient risk according to Rai staging system. 33 (66/) patients were high risk, 15 (30%) patients were intermediate risk and 2 (4.0%) patients were low risk. Complications of CLL, infection ( 7 patients (14%)), autoimmune hemolytic anemia { 3 patients (6%) } and second primary malignancy { I patient (2.0%)).
Conclusions: The clinical and laboratory aspects of Libyan CLL patients at the rime of diagnosis yielded to Rai stage III and IV in the majority of patients (high risk group – poor prognosis) which will result in a decrease of survival rate. The complications of CLL Libyan patients at the time of diagnosis were in agreement with other studies.
Keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Rai staging system.
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