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| Site Navigation | Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
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| Small lymphocytic lymphoma
(SLL), is almost
identical to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) both morphologically and clinically.
CLL A
somewhat arbitrary distinction is drawn between them based on the relative degree of
lymph node and lymphoid tissue involvement verses the numbers of cells
primarily in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. As a
lymphoma, SLL accounts for about 4-5% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. As a leukemia, CLL accounts
for about 30% of adult leukemias in Western countries. In SLL the patients are elderly
(median age 60 years) and usually present with diffuse lymphadenopathy and some degree of
marrow and peripheral blood involvement (Stage IV disease). Men appear
to get the disease as equally as women. |
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| This lymphoma is very indolent but relentless, with median survivals of almost a decade. Although the slowly proliferating cells are sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapy is almost never curative and relapse inevitably follows. | |||
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Most studies find no benefit in treating patients until they develop symptoms.
Therapy tends to be low-intensity: single alkylator therapy such as chlorambucil or
combination therapy with High dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or stem cell transplant has been used to treat a small number of people with SLL / CLL. As side effects can be severe, some type of transplant are not given to people over the age of 45-50 and others can be given to people up to 65 years old who are in otherwise good health. The intensity of the treatment increases the risks of serious side effects for people over this age. About 30% of cases of SLL progress to a higher grade process such as prolymphocytic lymphoma or diffuse large cell lymphoma (Richter's syndrome). Over time, 10% to 20% of cases of small lymphocytic lymphoma progress to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Further Reading / In-DepthNon-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, Peter M. Mauch (Editor), James O. Armitage (Editor), et al., 2004.
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Lymphomas Other Pages of Interest: This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author. The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions. Copyright © 1998-2006 Lymphoma Information
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