Ponderings about SLL and CLL

[Guest guest]

We have been told that when looked at under a microscope SLL and CLL are the

same disease. Also, they are treated the same way.

I have four oncologists. Two of them call what I have SLL (small lymphocytic

lymphoma), the other two call it CLL (chronic lymphatic leukemia). What then

is the difference?

We can probably say that the disease presents in a " lymphatic " or in a

" leukemic " way, and that sometime one changes to the other. (Worse, the whole

thing

can mutate, but we won't talk about that.)

We have also been told that once the disease requires treatment, and once we

relapse, the relapse is likely (note " likely " ) to look the same way as what

caused us to require treatment in the first place.

So, you might say that you had crazy high white counts, and/or serious

lymphadenopathy, and that this caused you to need treatment. Your disease

presented

in a " lymphatic " manner.

Others of us had only slightly elevated white counts, a couple of small, not

very important nodes, but rapidly falling red counts. This disease presented

in a " leukemic " manner.

In either case you were probably put on " watch and wait " , or maybe still are

on " watch and wait " . Or, you have had a series of prognostic tests to guide

your oncologist in making a decision as to early treatment or no treatment.

However, whether you call your disease SLL or CLL, what will lead you to

eventual treatment is probably one of several things:

Advanced " B " symptoms, fever, night sweats, weakness -

High white and lymphocyte counts, serious lymphadenopathy, lymph nodes

pressing on vital organs, enlarged spleen -

Crashing red counts -

Your oncologist feeling that you will advance rapidly and deciding

(hopefully with your agreement) that you had better be treated earlier than

later -

There is really not much you can do about any of this. Fate has dealt you a

hand. But I find it helpful to put myself in one of the two baskets, being able

to watch for the right signs (especially after the initial remission) of

relapse, and focusing my knowledge and research on " lymphatic " or leukemic "

symptoms.

Good health and Happy Holidays!

Balan

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for your explanation on the difference between SSL-CLL.

My doctor told me at some time one disease would take over and become

dominate. From Your explanation, I have CLL for my white counts are

stable, however, my RBC is rapidly dropping. Now, I can stop

researching SSL and concentrate on CLL.

Thanks,

Joyce

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

[Guest guest]

Joyce - that is the sort of thing I was trying to accomplish with my

" ponderings "

Good health!

Balan

[Guest guest]

Happy 2004 to you & Annie Tried to contact you befre Thanks for the infor,ation on SLL & CLL still on watch & wait steill veryvery tired amd crawl into bed often will start pysical therapy next week What do I pay for Alpha and to whom I am confused about this I tthought I was on this program Please clear me up Dr Byrd program April 17 & 18 that is all I Know in VColumbus Ohio Bestest for the new year and hope itis a good one Mark sends his best

Syril