Normal CBC abnormal flow test

[gustave]

I had two months of abnormal CB results, and the flow study also abnormal. I was diagnosed with possible CLL. I then had a CBC done yesterday after three months and everything in the CBC is normal. Do I now not have a Blood cancer? Is it a miracle or does this happen sometimes? I have had no treatment at this time. I am so confused.

Thanks

[mantana]

Abnormal - what ranges?

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) viruses can show quite similar blood tests to that of CLL. Blood tests for EBV and CMV can show if you had the infection in the past, or if you were infected recently (symptoms similar to CLL).

One more easy test to do is spleen ultrasound (spleen will likely be enlarged with CLL, and likely enlarged with EBV or CMV).

This is also a reason why most doctors would agree it's CLL only after blood test results are suspicious for 3-6 months (and, to complete your diagnosis, you would need bone marrow test).

[gustave in reply to mantana]

wbc Hi 12.8, rbc Hi 5.11, MCH Lo 27.4, PlateletsHi 424 Lym Hi 4.5. The pathologist said suspected Cll or low non proliferative .These are canadian calculations

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to gustave]

What the pathologist meant by "low non proliferative" is that you may have Monoclonal B Lymphocytosis. If so, this might be the precursor to CLL. MBL becomes increasingly common in older people and is further divided into low and high count. About 2% per year of people with high count MBL go on to develop CLL, when the monoclonal cells begin to exhibit cancerous behaviour. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

You may also have the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma form of CLL/SLL, where the monoclonal B-Lymphocytes preferentially congregate in the nodes rather than the blood. You don't need a bone marrow biopsy for a definitive diagnosis, just evidence of lymphoprolifative behaviour - CLL/SLL cells spreading into nodes, the spleen and bone marrow. The effect of the latter can be deduced from downward trends in platelet and red blood cell/haemoglobin counts.

Neil

[gustave in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you Neil,

Would this explain why the numbers could return to normal for now? My platlets are too high not too low.

[gustave in reply to gustave]

Here is my numbers, mean nothing to me CD8rel Lo.106, CD3 Hi 2.52 CD4 Hi 2.110 , CD4?Cd8 ratio Hi 5.1

what dothese mean?

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to gustave]

With chronic conditions, you need to observe overall trends and not be too concerned about what may be atypical results, which may be due to a momentary cause, such as an illness, allergy, an effect from drugs, etc.

The CD4/CD8 test and ratio looks quantity and abundance of your helper and cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes respectively. CLL can adversely affect these, causing a reversal of the usual result, i.e. more CD8 than CD4 cells. You don't have that.

Neil

[gustave in reply to AussieNeil]

Hi Neil,

The other numbers that are abnormal from the Flow studies, do they mean anything to you?

Thank you

Janet

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to gustave]

Hi Janet,

What you have shared aren't the results you see from the standard immunophenotype flow cytometry test performed to determine whether you have a lymphoproliferative disorder and if so, which one. You should have other test results mentioning a particular pattern of CD numbers and mention of a monoclonal B-lymphocyte population. From previous discussions, it seems that you have been diagnosed with low count MBL, which has a very low chance of eventually developing into CLL. As I mentioned before, the SLL form of CLL/SLL needs to be ruled out. That is done by looking for other symptoms, nodes that stay swollen, an enlarged spleen, drops in other blood counts (which can be accompanied by bruising and/or breathlessness) and what are termed B-symptoms; night sweats, fevers without an associated infection, unintentional loss of weight (>10%). If you are eventually diagnosed with CLL, treatment is not recommended until there is evidence that the disease is becoming active. That can take many years and in about 30% of cases, is not needed.

Neil

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Gustave, what has your hematologist said in regard to your flow cytometry findings? Do you have a copy of the report from which you can see the specifics?

[gustave in reply to cllady01]

Here is my numbers, mean nothing to me CD8rel Lo.106, CD3 Hi 2.52 CD4 Hi 2.110 , CD4?Cd8 ratio Hi 5.1

[Smakwater]

gustave,

This happens sometimes for a variety of reasons.

Literally, occurrences that are probable within the laws of nature are simply statistics.

Literally, a miracle is a phenomenon that cannot occur in nature.

Either way, it appears to be a good measure for you.

Enjoy the good news!

JM