[Chronic lymphatic leukemia]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a B-lymphocyte derived clonal malignant disorder. Presently available chemotherapy is only palliative and is withheld unless typical symptoms evolve. Newly developed cytostatic drugs such as Fludarabine, Pentostatin and 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosin have shown promising activity in cases otherwise resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been successfully applied in some younger patients. Bone marrow transplantation at this time represents the only curative therapeutic modality and should be considered in younger patients having a suitable donor.