Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and focusing on epidemiology and management in everyday hematologic practice: recent data from the Czech Leukemia Study Group for Life (CELL).

PURPOSE Currently, pathogenesis, new prognostic factors, or new therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are frequently discussed; however, up-to-date data concerning the incidence and the management of CLL in everyday hematologic practice are still missing. The aim of our study was to find out the accurate epidemiologic situation of CLL and the diagnostic and therapeutic preferences of hematologists in the preselect area: the South Moravian Region (1,127,718 inhabitants, white race). PATIENTS AND METHODS The total number of 540 patients (median age at the time of diagnosis, 65 years; sex, 306 men and 234 women) who had been followed in 2008 were included in the analysis. RESULTS In the years 2006 and 2007, the incidence of CLL was 5.8 and 6.2, respectively, per 100,000; the prevalence was 48 per 100,000. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment was indicated in 194 patients (36%); 93 (17%) of them also underwent the second line of treatment. Of these 194 patients, 64 patients (33%) were given fludarabine-based regimens, and 74 patients (38%) received chlorambucil as a first line of treatment. Thirty patients were treated within clinical trials. Although the treatment was indicated in only one third of patients (36%), new prognostic factors were examined in > 50% of patients. CONCLUSION The ascertained incidence of CLL in our region is higher than declared incidence in the past. Evidently, CLL became an often misdiagnosed and underreported disease.