WATCH & WAIT FOR CLL/SLL

People diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have no symptoms and minor changes in their blood counts are usually managed with something called the Watch & Wait approach. Your doctor may also call this "active surveillance" or "watchful waiting." Your care team will provide regular medical checkups and blood tests to determine whether the cancer is remaining stable or if it is starting to progress. Your doctor will help decide if and when starting treatment is best for you.

Be assured that this approach is the standard of care for people whose CLL is not progressing quickly, is not widespread, and who have no signs and/or symptoms.

• To date, no benefits of early treatment for people with low-risk CLL have been shown.
• There are risks of early treatment, including potential side effects and treatment complications.
• Patients may build up a resistance to the drugs — so starting treatment early may not be the most effective path.

Some people with CLL can be managed with the Watch & Wait approach for years before the disease progresses.

15-20% of CLL patients never need treatment.

During the Watch & Wait period, it’s important to continue scheduling doctor’s appointments regularly — and to keep an eye out for any changes in your health. Your doctor may advise you to begin treatment if you have:

• Lymph nodes that are getting larger
• Newly affected lymph nodes
• Bones or other organs that have become affected by cancer
• A low blood cell count
• A relatively rapid increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood
• A spleen that’s increasing in size
• Worsening anemia
• Pain

When and if you and your doctor decide it’s time for treatment, learn more about CALQUENCE here.

It’s easy to forget everything that’s covered during a doctor’s appointment, so it’s often helpful to have a caregiver, family member, or friend accompany you during checkups to take notes and provide emotional support.

Remember that it’s important to continue scheduling doctor’s appointments regularly. Above you’ll find a discussion guide with helpful tips on how to talk to your doctor and what to ask.