Just Diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved pirtobrutinib for adults with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who don’t have a genetic change called del(17p). This approval gives some people newly diagnosed with CLL or SLL another option for their initial treatment. It is especially notable because pirtobrutinib […]

Learn how doctors use blood tests, CBC results, and flow cytometry to diagnose CLL. Discover the key markers and immunophenotype patterns used in 2026.

Learn how IGHV, TP53, and the FISH test for CLL shape your personalized treatment plan. Discover why genomic testing is essential for managing your leukemia.

For many people newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the first recommendation isn’t always treatment, it’s watchful waiting. This approach can feel unsettling when you’ve just learned you have cancer, but for CLL, it’s often the first step. Dr. Bita Fakhri, a CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) expert at Stanford University, explains the guiding principle […]

When you’re diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), you may hear your doctor mention a “FISH panel,” but what exactly is that, and why is it so important? A FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) panel is a specialized genetic test that looks for specific chromosomal changes in CLL cells. These changes can give doctors insight […]

We recently had the privilege of speaking with Stanford University School of Medicine’s Dr. Bita Fakhri for an in-depth conversation exploring how CLL is diagnosed, what your stage means, and how molecular markers guide care. Watch the full webinar The following questions and responses have been lightly edited for grammatical purposes.  1) What is CLL, […]

Neither Outcomes4Me nor any participants in or contributors to any webinar, article or content endorses or recommends any products or services. Consult your physician regarding any treatment or therapy. Dr. Bita Fakhri is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She specializes in the treatment of chronic […]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Unlike many solid tumors, CLL doesn’t form lumps in one spot. Instead, it affects the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, and sometimes the spleen or liver. Staging is important because it helps your doctors understand how […]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the leading type of leukemia in adults, making up about a third of all cases. CLL affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes, which play a role in the immune system. Unlike some other cancers, CLL is often slow-growing, and many people are diagnosed during routine blood tests […]