Can a SLL patient become CLL?

[Lola69]

Was wondering if an SLL can turn into CLL? would that mean it’s invasive? My WBC have always been within the normal range except when I did that FCR treatment they went down to 1. They are presently at 3.9 the highest they have ever been since March of 2014!

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Yes, SLL can appear in the blood and then its referred to as CLL , about 30% of patients do this. Its usually a treatment indicator in SLL but not always. I think AussieNeil progressed this way...

~chris

[Lola69 in reply to Cllcanada]

If my SLL turns into CLL i assume that means the imbruvica stopped working?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Lola69]

That's too simplistic an assumption. You need to look at how your tumour burden size and distribution have changed. It could simply be that the flavour of your CLL/SLL has changed so that it now expresses itself more so in your blood. That can happen, particularly following treatment. Looking at changes in your other blood counts may also provide some insight into what's happening in your bone marrow.

[Phillysteve in reply to Lola69]

I didn't know imbruvica was indicated for SLL.

[Lola69 in reply to Phillysteve]

SLL is treated in the same way as CLL they r same disease but diff presentation. A pity I did not take my stage 1 seriously as I could have been cured! Was misdiagnosed. The pea sized cyst like on my jaw was diagnosed as a salivary gland infection 2007 But would radiation to my jaw have cured my SLL then given me other problems??