What type of cells are found in chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the proliferation of mature lymphocytes, specifically B lymphocytes, which become dysfunctional. In CLL, the body produces a large number of these abnormal lymphocytes that accumulate in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues. These proliferating lymphocytes can crowd out normal cells and contribute to the symptoms of the disease.

The presence of these excessive lymphocytes is what distinguishes CLL from other types of leukemia, such as acute leukemias where you would typically find a predominance of blast cells—immature forms of white blood cells. CLL specifically involves a gradual increase in these mature lymphocyte populations, leading to various health complications and indicative laboratory findings.

This understanding highlights the role of lymphocytes in the pathology of CLL, affirming that option addressing lymphocytes is indeed the correct answer. The other cell types mentioned do not represent the primary abnormal cell population in CLL, thus helping to clarify why lymphocytes are the focal point in this particular leukemia.