Watch and Wait Leukemia Research Foundation
Watch and wait is a pre-treatment step. It's the current standard of care for certain leukemias that don't cause severe symptoms or life-threatening problems. You may also hear the terms watchful waiting and active surveillance. The idea of delaying leukemia treatments may seem unsettling. However, numerous studies have shown no benefit to starting treatments when a blood cancer is stable ...
Also known as active monitoring, watchful waiting is advised for some blood cancers - usually subtypes of low-grade B-cell lymphoma (LGBCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) - because it can balance treatment risks and benefits. Blood-related cancers cover a spectrum of disorders.
How Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)Treated
Learn how chonic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment is chosen, when watchful waiting is used, and how targeted therapies, chemo, and supportive care may help.
Slow-growing chronic lymphocytic leukemia may not need treatment right away. Learn what to expect from a CLL watchful waiting approach.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
This is the "watch and wait" approach, "active surveillance" or " watchful waiting " period of CLL. Typically, routine checkups are every 3 to 6 months, according to Mazie Tsang, M.D., M.A.S., M.S., a hematologist and CLL expert at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
What Is Active Surveillance in Leukemia ? Active surveillance (also called " watchful waiting ") is a strategy where leukemia is closely monitored without immediate treatment until symptoms or disease progression occur. Most commonly used in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other slow-growing blood cancers Involves regular blood tests, exams, and symptom tracking Treatment begins only ...
Watch and Wait
This approach is called " watchful waiting ," "watch and wait," or "active surveillance." Types of lymphoma that grow slowly are referred to as indolent or low-grade lymphomas. Indolent lymphomas are often managed like a chronic disease (a disease that can be controlled but not cured), requiring long-term treatment and monitoring.
This is called 'active surveillance or monitoring', 'watchful waiting' , or 'watch and wait'. Research has shown that people who are monitored in this way do just as well as those given chemotherapy (cytotoxic or intensive) immediately, and they are spared the unwanted side effects of treatment. Some even avoid treatment altogether.
How Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Has Changed
The Evolving Treatment Landscape for CLL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) care has transformed dramatically in the past decade, shifting from chemotherapy to targeted drugs that offer deeper remissions, fewer side effects, and even treatment‑free periods for many patients.
Explore the watch and wait approach in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), also known as active surveillance. Learn about the benefits, considerations, and strategies of this approach.