What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia? The Cancer Diamantaire Mehul Choksi Is Being Treated For

Last Updated:April 15, 2025, 14:38 IST

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi is suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia—a kind of blood cancer. Here's what it is and the symptoms of the disease

Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi. (File photo/AFP)

Mehul Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab Bank of Rs 13,500 crore, has been arrested in Belgium. The fugitive diamond merchant is suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia—a kind of blood cancer.

What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. In CLL, leukemia develops slowly and affects the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection.

Read more: Mehul Choksi Arrest: India’s First Extradition Treaty With Belgium Was Signed By The British In 1901

In CLL, the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, and these cells don’t work properly. This can result in crowding out other blood cells which leads to problems like increased risk of infections, anemia (too few red blood cells) and bleeding problems, among others.

CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults and is more common in older adults. Even though treatment options are available to help manage the disease and its symptoms, CLL is a serious condition which progresses slowly.

What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia’s symptoms can be quite variable. Some of the most common ones include enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, frequent infections, unintentional weight loss, night sweats and easy bleeding or bruising. Although it is important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to CLL and can be caused by other conditions as well.

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