aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

The cause of CLL is unknown. There is no evidence that exposure to ionizing radiation, drugs or chemicals are associated with an increased risk (1).

There may be a genetic predisposition to CLL.

• an increase risk of CLL and other primary cancers have been observed in relatives of patients with CLL
• currently no genes responsible for increased risk of CLL has been identified (1)

Reference:

• 1. Yee KW, O'Brien SM. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(8):1105-29.