and counseling, most patients will understand that clinical MBL and CLL fall upon a continuum. The distinction that an MBL diagnosis indicates a higher lifetime risk of developing CLL, rather than being a diagnosis of leukemia, avoids the unnecessary distress associated with a leukemia diagnosis(38–40) and may aid the individual in discussions with their family. Similarly, MBL should not be referred to as “pre-leukemia” or “pre-CLL” as the majority of patients with clinical MBL will never develop symptoms or require CLL directed therapy.
