The Alvarez Law Firm
CLL · SLL · Hairy Cell Leukemia

Leukemia
After Roundup Exposure

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), and Hairy Cell Leukemia all start in the same B-cells that glyphosate damages — and all are accepted in the federal Roundup MDL. If you used Roundup and were diagnosed with one of these leukemias, you may have a powerful claim against Monsanto and Bayer.

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CLL, SLL & Hairy Cell Leukemia

The Leukemias Tied To Glyphosate

CLL is the most common adult leukemia in the United States — and a B-cell cancer at heart. It and its lymph-node twin SLL, along with Hairy Cell Leukemia, are the leukemias most consistently accepted in Roundup litigation.

What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing cancer in which abnormal B-cell lymphocytes accumulate in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lymphoid tissue. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with CLL each year, making it the most common leukemia in adults in the U.S. Many patients are diagnosed during routine bloodwork, often after being told their lymphocyte count is "elevated."

CLL and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) are now considered the same disease — just different presentations. CLL is named when the malignant cells circulate in the blood; SLL is named when they accumulate primarily in lymph nodes. Both qualify under the same Roundup case theory.

Common CLL Symptoms

  • Painless lymph node enlargement (neck, armpit, groin)

  • Persistent fatigue and weakness

  • Recurrent infections

  • Easy bruising or bleeding (low platelets)

  • Drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss

  • Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) causing abdominal fullness or pain

Hairy Cell Leukemia

A rare, slow-growing B-cell leukemia named for the hair-like projections seen on the abnormal cells under a microscope. Hairy Cell Leukemia is strongly responsive to purine analog therapy (cladribine, pentostatin) and is recognized in the Roundup MDL.

  • BRAF V600E mutation in classic HCL
  • Pancytopenia and splenomegaly are common at diagnosis

Other Leukemia Considerations

The strongest scientific link to glyphosate is in the lymphoid lineages — CLL/SLL and Hairy Cell Leukemia. Other leukemias (AML, ALL, CML) have a less consistent record in Roundup litigation, but if you used Roundup and were diagnosed with any leukemia, we will evaluate the case on the medical record.

Why The Subtype Matters

Leukemia diagnosis depends on flow cytometry, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow biopsy, FISH, and molecular studies. Herb Borroto, M.D., J.D., reviews these reports personally to confirm whether your diagnosis fits a Roundup-linked subtype.

The Mechanism

Why Glyphosate Causes B-cell Leukemias

CLL, SLL, and Hairy Cell Leukemia all start in B lymphocytes — the same cells that glyphosate damages through oxidative stress and DNA strand breaks. That shared mechanism is why these leukemias appear alongside Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas in the IARC monograph and in the federal Roundup MDL.

Oxidative DNA Damage

Glyphosate and the surfactants in Roundup generate reactive oxygen species that damage DNA in lymphocytes — the precursor to the genetic changes that drive CLL.

IARC Group 2A

The 2015 IARC monograph specifically cited B-cell lymphoid malignancies, including CLL and Hairy Cell Leukemia, in support of glyphosate's "probably carcinogenic to humans" classification.

Agricultural Cohorts

Multiple agricultural worker cohort studies have shown elevated rates of CLL and Hairy Cell Leukemia in farmers and applicators with cumulative glyphosate exposure.

Leukemia Lawsuit Eligibility

Do I Qualify?

CLL, SLL, Or Hairy Cell Leukemia Diagnosis

A confirmed diagnosis on bloodwork, flow cytometry, or bone marrow biopsy. Other leukemia subtypes can also be evaluated.

Roundup Exposure

Regular occupational or residential Roundup use — farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, golf-course staff, applicators, or homeowners who sprayed regularly.

Within The Statute Of Limitations

Most states give 2 to 4 years from diagnosis. Wrongful death deadlines may be shorter. Contact us promptly.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one used Roundup and died from a Roundup-linked leukemia, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim.

Talk To An M.D./J.D. About Your Diagnosis

Herb Borroto reviews flow cytometry and bone marrow reports as a physician. Free, confidential, no obligation.

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Leukemia Lawsuit FAQ

Leukemia & CLL Questions & Answers

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL — the lymph-node form of CLL), and Hairy Cell Leukemia have the strongest record in Roundup litigation, all reflecting the B-cell biology that glyphosate damages. Other leukemias (AML, ALL, CML) have a less consistent record but can be evaluated on the medical record. Herb Borroto, M.D., J.D., reviews flow cytometry and bone marrow reports personally.

Yes. CLL and SLL are now considered the same disease — different presentations. CLL is named when the malignant B-cells circulate in the blood; SLL is named when they accumulate primarily in lymph nodes. Both qualify under the same Roundup case theory and the same medical-legal review.

Yes. Hairy Cell Leukemia is a rare B-cell leukemia named for the hair-like projections seen on the abnormal cells under a microscope. It is recognized in the federal Roundup MDL and is highly responsive to purine analog therapy (cladribine, pentostatin) — but the case is built on the diagnosis and the exposure, not on treatment outcomes.

Yes. Many CLL patients are managed with watchful waiting before treatment is required. The lawsuit is built on the diagnosis itself, the impact on the patient's life and decisions, and the long-term cost and uncertainty — not solely on whether chemotherapy has started.

Most leukemia cases against Monsanto are framed as failure-to-warn — that Monsanto should have warned consumers. The Alvarez Law Firm pursues failure-to-warn claims, but our lead theory is strict product liability: that Roundup, as designed, is unreasonably dangerous and caused the leukemia regardless of what the label said. The same defective-product framework drove our $100M+ tobacco recoveries.

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You Deserve
Justice & Compensation

CLL, SLL, and Hairy Cell Leukemia are all built on the same B-cell biology that glyphosate damages. We attack the case under strict product liability — the same defective-product framework that has driven our $100M+ tobacco recoveries.

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References & Sources

Sources Cited On This Page

All factual claims on this page about CLL, SLL, Hairy Cell Leukemia, glyphosate, and Roundup litigation are supported by the following authoritative primary sources.

External references for educational purposes only. Citation does not imply endorsement of this firm by the cited organizations.

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