Are you asking if small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is the same as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Yes, CLL and SLL are actually the same disease, just in different locations in your body. Both involve the same type of abnormal B cells (white blood cells) growing out of control.
The key difference is where these cancer Show Full Answer
Are you asking if small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is the same as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Yes, CLL and SLL are actually the same disease, just in different locations in your body. Both involve the same type of abnormal B cells (white blood cells) growing out of control.
The key difference is where these cancer cells are found:
- CLL (leukemia): Cancer cells are primarily in your blood and bone marrow
- SLL (lymphoma): Cancer cells are mainly in your lymph nodes and spleen
The main way doctors distinguish between them is by counting abnormal lymphocytes in your blood:
- SLL: Less than 5,000 abnormal cells per microliter
- CLL: 5,000 or more abnormal cells per microliter
Both are slow-growing (indolent) cancers and are treated similarly. Sometimes the same person can have features of both, which is why doctors often refer to them together as CLL/SLL.
If you're wondering about a different type of lymphoma, feel free to share more details about your specific diagnosis.
March 27
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