Causes and Risk Factors of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, like any cancer, is not transmitted from one person to another. There are no known causes or risk factors. Some studies have shown that first degree relatives of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia have a slightly higher risk of having the disease than the rest of the population; although this slight excess risk of contracting the disease is not sufficient for it to be considered "hereditary" or for there to be programmes for its early detection.

Lack of knowledge of its causes or risk factors makes prevention of the disease impossible; and this applies to slowing its progression once diagnosed.