What is the prognosis of SLL?
Mar 20, 2019 · SLL can hinder your immune system and make it more difficult for you to fight infections. Sometimes the disease causes your immune system to attack itself, and you may develop life-threatening...
What to expect from SLL after treatment?
Continued What to Expect. SLL tends to be a slow-growing cancer. In time, though, SLL can turn into a more aggressive type of lymphoma.. After initial …
What is SLL lymphoma and how is it treated?
Aug 25, 2020 · Improving SLL and CLL survival rates. SLL and CLL often come back (recur) after treatment. You’ll receive frequent blood tests and imaging scans in order to catch cancer recurrence quickly. Increased monitoring is key to extending life, but it can cause anxiety. Talk to your doctor about ways to help manage this stress. Living with SLL and CLL
How is SLL diagnosed and treated?
Oct 20, 2015 · Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Richard Furman, M.D. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are cancers of mature lymphocytes, and are thus best described as B-cell lymphomas. CLL and SLL are the same disease, and the proper name according to the textbooks is CLL/SLL. The only difference between the two is the ...
What is the survival rate for SLL?
Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Survival Rates The five-year survival rate for SLL in the United States is 86.9 percent. This means that, for every 100 people diagnosed with SLL now, about 87 people are expected to be alive in five years. This survival rate also applies to people with CLL.Feb 2, 2022
What is the most effective treatment for SLL?
Chemotherapy is a key treatment for SLL and can often put the disease in remission, which means you no longer have any signs of cancer, although it can return. Monoclonal antibody therapy. These are drugs that act like man-made antibodies that specifically target cancer cells. They help your immune system destroy them.Oct 26, 2020
How long can you live after lymphoma treatment?
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with NHL is 73%. But it's important to keep in mind that survival rates can vary widely for different types and stages of lymphoma....Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.SEER Stage5-Year Relative Survival RateAll SEER stages combined64%3 more rows•Mar 2, 2022
Does SLL turn into CLL?
In fact, CLL and SLL are really the same disease. Sometimes patients with SLL can develop a rising white blood cell count in the blood (or leukemia), and patients with CLL invariably have CLL cells also in the lymph nodes. In addition, most cases of SLL become CLL over time.
Can you live 20 years with SLL?
Though SLL isn't curable, people with SLL can live well for many years if the condition is properly managed, and do so with better long-term outcomes than other types of blood cancers.Nov 12, 2020
Is SLL a type of leukemia?
CLL/SLL is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Also called chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Can you live 20 years with lymphoma?
Most people with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma will live 20 years after diagnosis. Faster-growing cancers (aggressive lymphomas) have a worse prognosis. They fall into the overall five-year survival rate of 60%.
Can you live a full life with lymphoma?
There are very few cancers for which doctors will use the word 'cure' right off the bat, but Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), the most common cancer diagnosis among children and young adults, comes pretty darn close: Ninety percent of patients with stages 1 and 2 go on to survive 5 years or more; even patients with stage 4 have ...Apr 26, 2018
What type of lymphoma is not curable?
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. This is a rare, slow-growing type of lymphoma. It's found mainly in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. People with this type usually live many years with the disease, but it's usually not curable.
What causes SLL lymphoma?
People with SLL may not have any obvious signs for many years. Some may not realize they have the disease. The main symptom of SLL is painless swelling in the neck, armpit, and groin. It's caused by cancer cells building up inside the lymph nodes.Apr 9, 2019
What causes CLL SLL?
The exact cause of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not known. Multiple genetic mutations occur in the DNA of blood-producing cells. These mutations cause the blood cells to produce abnormal lymphocytes, which are not effective at fighting infection. Usually, an abnormal chromosome is present in a patient with CLL.
Is SLL better than CLL?
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. Both cancers are so similar that healthcare professionals often group them as CLL/SLL. Due to the similarity between the two conditions, there is no difference in how doctors approach their treatment.Nov 2, 2021
What causes SLL?
The current body of research suggests that up to 80% of people with SLL have some form of chromosome abnormality, although the types can vary significantly. 8
What is the difference between SLL and CLL?
With SLL, the accumulation of cancer cells occurs mainly in the lymph nodes but also can also affect the bone marrow. With CLL (the more common of the two diseases), cancer cells are mainly found in the bloodstream as well as bone marrow.
What are the different types of lymphoma?
Types of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma 1 With SLL, the accumulation of cancer cells occurs mainly in the lymph nodes but also can also affect the bone marrow. 2 With CLL (the more common of the two diseases), cancer cells are mainly found in the bloodstream as well as bone marrow.
Why do doctors perform differential diagnosis for SLL?
Because the features of SLL are similar to those of other diseases (including many different types of lymphoma), doctors will typically perform a differential diagnosis to exclude other possible causes. This typically includes investigations for:
What are the B symptoms of lymphoma?
A swollen, tender abdomen (due to an enlarged spleen, or occasionally an enlarged liver) In addition, there may be so-called "B symptoms" that are commonly experienced with most types of cancer. These include: Between 5% and 10% of people with small lymphocytic lymphoma experience "B symptoms.".
Who is James Myhre?
James Myhre is an American journalist and HIV educator. Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells known as lymphocytes, specifically B-cell lymphocytes, that help the body fight infection.
What is the test for lymphoma?
Immunophenotyping is a test that can help diagnose or classify blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia. The test employs a technology called flow cytometry that can identify the physical characteristics of a cell as it is passed in front of a laser beam at rapid speed. Blood, bone marrow, and other cell samples can be tested. 19
What happens after SLL treatment?
After treatment for SLL, you may go into remission, which means there are no signs of cancer in your body. During this time, your doctor will continue to monitor your health. You might need to have certain tests, such as blood draws or CT scans, to periodically check for cancer.
What to do if SLL is advanced?
If the disease is very advanced or doesn’t respond to current treatments, your doctor might recommend that you enroll in a study .
What is SLL in medical terms?
Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a type of cancer that happens when your body makes too many abnormal versions of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes. When normal, B lymphocytes help fight infection.
Where is lymphoma found?
Stage 1E The lymphoma is found in only one area of a single organ outside the lymphatic system. Stage 2 The cancer is in two or more groups of lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm. Stage 2E The lymphoma is found in a group of lymph nodes and one area of a nearby organ .
What is SLL in lymphoma?
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. SLL is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is the difference between lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. SLL is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s a lot like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is treated the same way. The only difference between them is where they occur. When the cancer cells are mostly found in the lymph nodes, it’s called SLL.
What is the staging system for lymphoma?
Most types of non- Hodgkin lymphoma are staged with a system called the Lugano classification. It involves using the numbers 1 through 4 to categorize the cancer.
What is a SLL?
Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called a "lymphocyte," which helps your body fight infection. You may hear your doctor refer to SLL as a "non- Hodgkin's lymphoma ," which is a group of cancers that affect lymphocytes. When you have SLL, too many ineffective lymphocytes live ...
What to do if you have no symptoms?
Treatment. If you have no symptoms, your doctor might recommend "watchful waiting.". During this period, they'll monitor you and start treatment if the disease starts to get worse. If you need treatment, you have several options: Chemotherapy. You can get various chemotherapy drugs that kill your cancer cells.
How long does it take for a lymph node to be removed?
Then they'll make a cut and remove the lymph node. You can usually go home the same day. You'll have a small wound with a few stitches that can be removed in about a week.
Can radiation therapy cause nausea?
Sometimes radiation therapy is also used. This can be a tough process, because you may get side effects like nausea and mouth sores. Certain medications can make these side effects less severe. When the high-dose chemo is done, you'll start the transplant.
What is the best treatment for SLL?
Chemotherapy is a key treatment for SLL and can often put the disease in remission, which means you no longer have any signs of cancer, although it can return. Monoclonal antibody therapy. These are drugs that act like man-made antibodies that specifically target cancer cells. They help your immune system destroy them.
How long does it take for a stem cell transplant to start?
After your transplant, it could take 2 to 6 weeks for the stem cells to multiply and start making new blood cells. During this time you may be in the hospital, or at the very least, will need to make visits every day to get checked by your transplant team.
What are stem cells used for?
Stem cells are in the news a lot, but usually when you hear about them they're referring to "embryo" stem cells that are used in cloning. The stem cells in a transplant are different. They live in your bone marrow and help make new blood cells. This procedure may use your own stem cells or stem cells from a donor.
Types of SLL and CLL Treatments
There isn’t a cure for SLL or CLL. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and slow progression of the cancer for as long as possible.
SLL and CLL Prognosis
Many people with SLL and CLL live long lives. However, both cancers are likely to return after treatment. Your doctor will monitor you closely for indications of recurrence, so you can start treatment quickly. Learn more about SLL and CLL prognosis and life expectancy.
Sources
Key Statistics for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. American Cancer Society. January 2020.
What is kinase inhibitor?
Kinase inhibitors are agents that block specific enzymes called kinases. These enzymes are very integral to the functioning of cells. Since many different cell types are dependent upon different kinases, it is possible to inhibit a kinase important to one cell type only (e.g. lymphocyte versus liver cell).
Is CLL the same as SLL?
CLL and SLL are the same disease, and the proper name according to the textbooks is CLL/SLL. The only difference between the two is the location where the cancer primarily occurs. Historically, when the lymphocyte count is above 5,000, the disease is referred to as CLL, otherwise, it is called SLL. In both situations, disease is typically present ...
Types of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
SSL Symptoms
Causes
- Around 7% of all Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are classified as CLL/SLL, accounting for roughly 14,000 new diagnoses and 4,000 deaths in the United States each year.7
Diagnosis
- SLL is typically diagnosed with a physical exam, blood tests, genetic tests, and a microscopic examination of biopsied tissues from the bone marrow or lymph nodes.
Staging
- Staging is the process used to categorize the severity of the disease in order to direct appropriate treatment. In the United States, the most commonly used staging system for CLL/SLL is the Rai staging system, developed by Dr. Kanti Rai in 1975. (In Europe, an alternate system called the Binet classification is more commonly used.)14 The Rai classification is broken down as fol…
Treatment
- Given that the majority of people with SLL are asymptomatic and the disease is relatively slow-moving, many healthcare providers will take a "watch-and-wait" approach until certain symptoms arise. This spares you from therapies that can cause harmful side effects and undermine your quality of life. Delaying treatment in asymptomatic people also doe...
Prognosis
- The prognosis of SLL can vary by the genetic characteristics and speed of progression of the disease. Certain characteristics identified with flow cytometry/FISH (including IGHV gene mutations and the presence of CD38 protein) are associated with poorer outcomes.2 With that being said, SLL is generally a slowly progressive disease, and many people can live well an…
A Word from Verywell
- It can be extremely unnerving to be told you have SLL. Even if people tell you that SLL is a "slow-moving disease," the uncertainty of what lies ahead can cause extreme anxiety. This is perfectly normal. As much as you may want to rush to treatment, take time to learn about the disease and what the lab reports mean. Doing so can reduce stress by allowing you to understand when treat…