In early-stage disease (Rai Stage 0 to II), a group of patients with "smoldering" CLL has been identified. These patients have hemoglobin of more than 13 grams per deciliter of blood (13g/dL), platelet count of greater than 150,000 per microliter, and lymphocyte count of less than 30,000 per microliter. They also have a doubling time of peripheral lymphocytes of longer than 1 year and non-diffuse bone marrow histology. These patients have a survival equivalent to an age- and sex-matched population.