Is 75 years old the cutoff age for regular monitoring of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
There isn't a specific age cutoff for monitoring CLL. Your doctor's decision to extend your monitoring interval to a year likely reflects that your condition has remained stable during your 14 years of watchful waiting.
However, some Show Full Answer
Is 75 years old the cutoff age for regular monitoring of chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
There isn't a specific age cutoff for monitoring CLL. Your doctor's decision to extend your monitoring interval to a year likely reflects that your condition has remained stable during your 14 years of watchful waiting.
However, some aspects of your situation warrant attention:
Concerning signs that typically require closer monitoring:
- Decreasing platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
- WBC count around 60,000 (elevated)
- Your age of 75
Watchful waiting doesn't mean stopping all monitoring. Regular blood counts and doctor visits help catch any progression early. Blood tests showing drops in platelet counts or rising white blood cell counts can indicate disease progression and may signal it's time to consider treatment.
You should discuss with your doctor:
- Why the monitoring interval was extended despite decreasing platelets
- Whether your current blood counts suggest stable or progressing disease
- If your WBC count has been doubling within six months
- Whether you've developed any new symptoms
It's important to stay proactive about monitoring your condition. If you're uncertain about the extended timeline between visits, especially with changing blood counts, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor for clarification or request more frequent monitoring.
February 13
I would have asked if your CLL is "slow" growth which means it takes a long time for your WBC count to increase. I would hope you get regular blood tests to monitor your blood count? I requested medication when I was at 75,000 in 10 months after I was told I had CLL. I still get blood tests every 3 months to monitor my blood even though all results are 100% normal.
February 14
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