Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

What Is Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma?

cancer' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >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 and multiply in your lymph nodes. These are pea-sized organs in your neck, groin, armpits, and elsewhere, that are part of your immune system.

SLL tends to grow slowly. You may not have any symptoms when you're first diagnosed. A lot of people find out they have SLL when it's detected after a blood test for another reason.

If you're not having symptoms, you may not need treatment right away. Instead, your doctor will watch your health regularly and won't suggest therapy until you need it.

For some people, treatment knocks out the cancer for good, or keeps it from coming back for a long time.

It's normal to have worries and questions about any serious condition. Learn about your treatment options, and seek out family and friends for support. They can help you get through the emotional and physical challenges ahead.

Causes

You can't "catch" SLL like you do a cold or infection. It's also not passed on from parents to children.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes it. They do know, though, that the disease is rare in people under 50. The average age that people get diagnosed with the disease is 65. And it affects men more than women.

A few things are linked to a higher risk of getting SLL:

• You have a condition that causes you to have a weak immune system, like HIV/ AIDS.
• You've had chemotherapy.
• You live or work in a farming community. That's possibly because of exposure to pesticides and herbicides.

Symptoms

You might not have any obvious symptoms when you're diagnosed with SLL. The disease might be found during a routine blood test.

About one-third of all people with SLL live for years without having symptoms. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Weight loss

Getting a Diagnosis

Your doctor will do a physical exam and may ask you questions such as:

• Have you ever noticed any swelling in your neck, armpit, or groin?
• Are you often tired?
• Is your appetite down lately?
• Have you lost any weight recently?

Your doctor may also ask you to get a lymph node biopsy. This is the main test to diagnose SLL. Your doctor removes the lymph node and checks it under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Many lymph nodes are near the surface of your skin. If that's the case, your doctor will give you a shot that numbs your skin. 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.

Your doctor may also do two bone marrow tests -- a bone marrow aspiration and a biopsy -- to find out how advanced your cancer is. They are usually done together as part of a single procedure that removes marrow from the back of your hip bone.

For a bone marrow aspiration, your doctor first numbs the skin over your hip and the surface of the bone. They then inserts a thin needle into the bone and uses a syringe to suck out a small amount of liquid bone marrow.

Usually the doctor does the bone marrow biopsy next. They remove a small piece of bone and marrow with a slightly larger needle.

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. The medicine comes in pill form or may be given through an IV. You may be treated with one drug or a combination.

Taking Care of Yourself

Try your best to avoid infections. Eat a healthy diet, get proper rest, and stay away from sick people. Ask your doctor about which vaccinations you should receive, such as shots to prevent flu and pneumonia.

Living with a serious illness poses many challenges, both physically and emotionally. For strength and support, surround yourself with those who care about you. They can offer comfort, as well as practical support. You may also find it helpful to talk to a professional counselor, spiritual leader, or a support group.

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 treatment for SLL, many people have a period of remission, when there are no signs of active disease. The illness may not return.

But for some people, SLL does come back. If the lymphoma returns, doctors can treat you again. Treatment for disease that returns can be successful, and you may have another period of remission. This keeps your lymphoma under control for many years.

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