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Statistics at a Glance
At a Glance
Estimated New Cases in 2024 20,700
% of All New Cancer Cases 1.0%
Estimated Deaths in 2024 4,440
% of All Cancer Deaths 0.7%
5-Year
Relative Survival
| Year | Rate of New Cases — SEER 8 | Rate of New Cases — SEER 12 | Death Rate — U.S. | 5-Year Relative Survival — SEER 8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observed | Modeled Trend | Observed | Modeled Trend | Observed | Modeled Trend | Observed | Modeled Trend | |
| 1975 | 4.15 | 4.22 | - | - | 1.39 | 1.43 | 69.49% | 66.15% |
| 1976 | 4.58 | 4.23 | - | - | 1.43 | 1.44 | 67.22% | 66.79% |
| 1977 | 4.07 | 4.25 | - | - | 1.46 | 1.44 | 70.00% | 67.43% |
| 1978 | 4.47 | 4.26 | - | - | 1.43 | 1.45 | 70.24% | 68.06% |
| 1979 | 4.05 | 4.28 | - | - | 1.47 | 1.46 | 65.50% | 68.68% |
| 1980 | 4.44 | 4.30 | - | - | 1.50 | 1.46 | 70.70% | 69.29% |
| 1981 | 4.26 | 4.31 | - | - | 1.48 | 1.47 | 62.21% | 69.89% |
| 1982 | 4.08 | 4.33 | - | - | 1.49 | 1.47 | 65.62% | 70.48% |
| 1983 | 4.27 | 4.34 | - | - | 1.50 | 1.48 | 68.22% | 71.06% |
| 1984 | 4.28 | 4.36 | - | - | 1.45 | 1.49 | 71.83% | 71.64% |
| 1985 | 4.35 | 4.38 | - | - | 1.53 | 1.49 | 78.50% | 72.20% |
| 1986 | 4.44 | 4.39 | - | - | 1.51 | 1.50 | 71.81% | 72.76% |
| 1987 | 4.61 | 4.41 | - | - | 1.45 | 1.51 | 73.26% | 73.30% |
| 1988 | 4.31 | 4.43 | - | - | 1.49 | 1.51 | 74.13% | 73.84% |
| 1989 | 4.50 | 4.44 | - | - | 1.56 | 1.55 | 73.26% | 74.37% |
| 1990 | 4.43 | 4.46 | - | - | 1.59 | 1.59 | 76.60% | 74.89% |
| 1991 | 4.58 | 4.48 | - | - | 1.66 | 1.63 | 70.39% | 75.40% |
| 1992 | 4.52 | 4.49 | 4.43 | 4.44 | 1.67 | 1.67 | 77.85% | 75.91% |
| 1993 | 4.33 | 4.51 | 4.21 | 4.39 | 1.71 | 1.71 | 77.01% | 76.40% |
| 1994 | 4.49 | 4.53 | 4.33 | 4.33 | 1.61 | 1.68 | 77.18% | 76.88% |
| 1995 | 4.61 | 4.54 | 4.40 | 4.27 | 1.69 | 1.66 | 80.25% | 77.36% |
| 1996 | 4.68 | 4.56 | 4.44 | 4.21 | 1.68 | 1.64 | 76.88% | 77.83% |
| 1997 | 4.42 | 4.43 | 4.12 | 4.16 | 1.58 | 1.62 | 73.94% | 78.29% |
| 1998 | 4.15 | 4.30 | 4.05 | 4.10 | 1.54 | 1.60 | 80.75% | 79.33% |
| 1999 | 4.15 | 4.18 | 3.90 | 4.05 | 1.64 | 1.58 | 74.95% | 80.32% |
| 2000 | 4.55 | 4.56 | 4.31 | 4.32 | 1.56 | 1.56 | 82.44% | 81.27% |
| 2001 | 5.33 | 4.98 | 4.80 | 4.61 | 1.56 | 1.55 | 83.26% | 82.18% |
| 2002 | 5.18 | 5.44 | 4.74 | 4.92 | 1.56 | 1.53 | 85.54% | 83.05% |
| 2003 | 5.41 | 5.48 | 4.97 | 4.98 | 1.55 | 1.51 | 82.90% | 83.88% |
| 2004 | 5.56 | 5.53 | 5.15 | 5.05 | 1.48 | 1.49 | 86.11% | 84.68% |
| 2005 | 5.52 | 5.57 | 5.01 | 5.12 | 1.47 | 1.47 | 86.60% | 85.44% |
| 2006 | 5.84 | 5.62 | 5.30 | 5.18 | 1.47 | 1.45 | 85.73% | 86.16% |
| 2007 | 5.60 | 5.66 | 5.26 | 5.25 | 1.43 | 1.44 | 89.60% | 86.86% |
| 2008 | 5.67 | 5.71 | 5.29 | 5.32 | 1.38 | 1.42 | 85.45% | 87.52% |
| 2009 | 5.77 | 5.76 | 5.40 | 5.39 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 88.00% | 88.15% |
| 2010 | 5.87 | 5.80 | 5.44 | 5.28 | 1.35 | 1.38 | 88.76% | 88.74% |
| 2011 | 5.62 | 5.72 | 5.11 | 5.17 | 1.36 | 1.37 | 91.63% | 89.32% |
| 2012 | 5.46 | 5.63 | 4.85 | 5.07 | 1.34 | 1.35 | 91.51% | 89.86% |
| 2013 | 5.54 | 5.54 | 4.91 | 4.97 | 1.32 | 1.28 | 90.39% | 90.38% |
| 2014 | 5.67 | 5.46 | 4.99 | 4.86 | 1.26 | 1.22 | 90.80% | 90.87% |
| 2015 | 5.44 | 5.38 | 4.84 | 4.77 | 1.12 | 1.16 | 92.40% | 91.34% |
| 2016 | 5.14 | 5.30 | 4.54 | 4.67 | 1.14 | 1.14 | 90.85% | 91.78% |
| 2017 | 5.39 | 5.22 | 4.69 | 4.57 | 1.13 | 1.12 | - | 92.21% |
| 2018 | 5.08 | 5.14 | 4.40 | 4.48 | 1.09 | 1.11 | - | 92.61% |
| 2019 | 5.00 | 5.06 | 4.34 | 4.39 | 1.07 | 1.09 | - | 92.99% |
| 2020 | 4.61 | 4.98 | 4.09 | 4.30 | 1.08 | 1.07 | - | 93.36% |
| 2021 | 4.91 | 4.91 | 4.28 | 4.21 | 1.05 | 1.06 | - | 93.70% |
| 2022 | - | - | - | - | 1.05 | 1.04 | - | 94.03% |
New cases come from SEER 12. Deaths come from U.S. Mortality.
All Races, Both Sexes. Rates are Age-Adjusted.
Modeled trend lines were calculated from the underlying rates using the Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software.
The 2020 incidence rate is displayed but not used in the fit of the trend line(s). Impact of COVID on SEER Cancer Incidence 2020 data
New cases are also referred to as incident cases in other publications. Rates of new cases are also referred to as incidence rates.
Rate of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The rate of new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia was 4.6 per 100,000 men and women per year. The death rate was 1.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2017–2021 cases and 2018–2022 deaths.
Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 0.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at some point during their lifetime, based on 2018–2021 data, excluding 2020 due to COVID.
Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2021, there were an estimated 215,107 people living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the United States.
Survival Statistics
How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Relative survival is an estimate of the percentage of patients who would be expected to survive the effects of their cancer. It excludes the risk of dying from other causes. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.
5-Year
Relative Survival
Based on data from SEER 22 (Excluding IL/MA) 2014–2020. Gray figures represent those who have died from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.
New Cases and Deaths
How Common Is This Cancer?
| Rank | Common Types of Cancer | Estimated New Cases 2024 |
Estimated Deaths 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Breast Cancer (Female) | 310,720 | 42,250 |
| 2. | Prostate Cancer | 299,010 | 35,250 |
| 3. | Lung and Bronchus Cancer | 234,580 | 125,070 |
| 4. | Colorectal Cancer | 152,810 | 53,010 |
| 5. | Melanoma of the Skin | 100,640 | 8,290 |
| 6. | Bladder Cancer | 83,190 | 16,840 |
| 7. | Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer | 81,610 | 14,390 |
| 8. | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 80,620 | 20,140 |
| 9. | Uterine Cancer | 67,880 | 13,250 |
| 10. | Pancreatic Cancer | 66,440 | 51,750 |
| - | - | - | |
| Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia | 20,700 | 4,440 |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia represents 1.0% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
1.0%
In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 20,700 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and an estimated 4,440 people will die of this disease.
Who Gets This Cancer?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is more common in adults and more common among men than women, particularly non-Hispanic White men. The rate of new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia was 4.6 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2017–2021 cases, age-adjusted.
Males
| All Races | 6.3 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic | 2.6 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native | 4.3 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.6 |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 4.5 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 7.8 |
Females
| All Races | 3.3 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic | 1.7 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native | 1.3 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.8 |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 2.2 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 4.1 |
SEER 22 2017–2021, Age-Adjusted
| Age Range | Percent of New Cases |
|---|---|
| <20 | 0.0% |
| 20–34 | 0.2% |
| 35–44 | 1.6% |
| 45–54 | 7.4% |
| 55–64 | 22.3% |
| 65–74 | 32.3% |
| 75–84 | 24.6% |
| >84 | 11.6% |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65–74.
Median Age
At Diagnosis
SEER 22 2017–2021, All Races, Both Sexes
Who Dies From This Cancer?
Death rates from chronic lymphocytic leukemia are higher among older adults, or those 75 and older. People with leukemia have many treatment options, and treatment for leukemia can often control the disease and its symptoms. The death rate was 1.1 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2018–2022 deaths, age-adjusted.
Males
| All Races | 1.6 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic | 0.6 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.9 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.3 |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 1.3 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 1.8 |
Females
| All Races | 0.7 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic | 0.3 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.3 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.1 |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 0.6 |
| Non-Hispanic White | 0.8 |
U.S. 2018–2022, Age-Adjusted
| Age Range | Percent of Deaths |
|---|---|
| <20 | 0.0% |
| 20–34 | 0.0% |
| 35–44 | 0.2% |
| 45–54 | 1.0% |
| 55–64 | 6.2% |
| 65–74 | 19.2% |
| 75–84 | 32.9% |
| >84 | 40.4% |
The percent of chronic lymphocytic leukemia deaths is highest among people aged 85+.
Median Age
At Death
U.S. 2018–2022, All Races, Both Sexes
Trends in Rates
Changes Over Time
Keeping track of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.
Using statistical models for analysis, age-adjusted rates for new chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases have been falling on average 1.5% each year over 2012–2021. Age-adjusted death rates have been falling on average 2.3% each year over 2013–2022. 5-year relative survival trends are shown below.
Interactive Statistics with SEER*Explorer
- Create custom graphs and tables
- Download data and images
- Share links to results
SEER*Explorer is an interactive website that provides easy access to a wide range of SEER cancer statistics. It provides detailed statistics for a cancer site by gender, race, calendar year, age, and for a selected number of cancer sites, by stage and histology.
Explore Additional Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia StatisticsMore About This Cancer
Cancer and the Blood
Figure: Stem cells maturing into one of three types of mature blood cells: red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Precursor cells are also shown: stem cells, myeloid blasts, lymphoid stem cells, and lymphoid blasts.
Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. In a person with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells don't die when they should. They may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for normal blood cells to do their work. The four main types of leukemia are:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
There is no standard staging system for leukemia. The disease is described as untreated, in remission, or recurrent.
Additional Information
More Information
Here are some resources for learning more about leukemia.
References
All statistics in this report are based on statistics from SEER and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Most can be found within SEER*Explorer.
Suggested Citation
All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.
SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/clyl.html
These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the U.S. population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse SEER*Explorer. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.
The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in SEER*Explorer. In some cases, different year spans may be used.
Estimates of new cases and deaths for 2024 are projections made by the American Cancer Society (ACS), based on earlier reported data.
Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.
