REsults from CT scan

[Oceanbly]

I have been diagnosed in August 2020 with CLL. When I went for my CT scan the Dr sitting in on the appointment and I were talking and I was saying about having CLL and he sort of confused me when he said …"the report I have says lymphoma" Are they one of the same or two different things? Also my CT scan showed slightly enlarged lymph nodes (not enough to do anything with) and also diverticulitis! I think my heart stopped a few beats. This cant be a good thing mixing CLL with diverticulitis, can it? My appointment is Thursday September 10th , 2020 with the hematology dept.

[GMa27]

CLL is a type of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is a type of leukemia. We are a confusing bunch of stuff!

Others will be able to jump in and explain it with more clarification.

So I guess ur question to the hematologist is, do you have CLL, SLL etc. What particular type of lymphoma do you have?

For example Dementia has different types - Louie Body, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Vascular.

💕

[Oceanbly in reply to GMa27]

THank you. Until I see the hematologist and get everything straight, I guess I best not jump to any conclusions! Really hard not to panic with every little detail you receive. I have to learn to settle down and relax.

[Emerfly]

Hi Oceanbly , how confusing for you . I’m no expert but from what little I understand CLL and Lymphoma are both cancers of the blood . The difference is that CLL more likely affects the blood and bone marrow while lymphoma affects the lymph nodes . But don’t depend on my info I’m sure there will be more knowledgable replies to follow .

I do however know about diverticulitis . Was diagnosed with it years ago . It’s a very common complaint and generally managed with a good diet . It is basically little pockets in your digestive system that food can get stuck in causing discomfort and sometimes pain . It’s best to avoid foods that can get stuck in these pockets like , nuts popcorn and seeds . Yet a diet rich in fibre is helpful . I still have milled flax and chia seeds with my porridge or Bircher meusli for brekki but I soak them them overnight ...they turn into what I call my gloop ! Eat a healthy diet and you’ll be fine . Hope this gives you some reassurance about the diverticulitis at least . All the best . Emer

[Oceanbly in reply to Emerfly]

thank you! My main concern was that the diverticulitis could cause my (WBC) to go out of wack and increase because of trying to fight any sort of infection

[Jm954 Administrator]

Strictly speaking, CLL is a low grade, non Hodgkin Lymphoma called Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with overspill of lymphoma cells into the blood which causes the lymphocytosis and leukaemia presentation. It can also present itself as mainly in the lymph nodes and with very little overspill and then it is referred to as SLL, Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. Of course it's a spectrum and everyone generally has leukaemic cells, it's just the numbers that vary, and also enlarged lymph nodes with perhaps also liver and spleen.

Did the report say you have diverticuli - pockets in your bowel? Diverticulitis is inflammation and tears of those pockets so you would almost certainly have significant symptoms from the inflammation, and perhaps, infection.

There are diets that say they can help with the inflammation and reduce the symptoms but I'm sorry that I don't know any more.

Best wishes

Jackie

[Emerfly]

The gastroentrologist I attend says about 50% of all adults of a certain age develop these pockets ...diverticuli, most without any symptoms . If you had inflammation trust me you’d know ..you would be in a lot of constant pain and possible blood in your stools . Most people can self manage diverticulosis. It really is nothing to be unduly alarmed about in relation to your CLL . I see my gastroentrolist yearly as my brother died 25 yrs ago of a hereditary colorectal cancer . Nor was my CLL specialist concerned about it . You can avoid inflammation. Do you have any symptoms ?

[SeymourB in reply to Emerfly]

That would be diverticuLOSIS, not diverticuLITIS, right?

[Emerfly in reply to SeymourB]

Diverticulosis is the condition ie pockets in the colon . Diverticulitis is when there is inflammation which can lead to infection . I have the condition , also known as diverticula disease, and since diagnosis about 10 yrs ago have had 2 episodes of inflammation and infection...treated with antibiotics .The pain associated with same was very noticeable which is why I enquired if Oceanbly had any symptoms. It’s been my personal experience that a lot of Drs mistakenly call Diverticulosis , Diverticulitis . My gastroentrologist set me straight .

[cajunjeff]

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and marrow. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are different types of leukemias and differnet types of lymphomas.

As the name Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Cll) describes, Cll is both a leukemia and a lymphoma. Cll cells gather in our marrow, blood and lymph glands.

Cll is slower growing than most leukemias and lymphomas and often not treated as aggressively. In a small percentage of cll cases. it can transform into a more aggressive lymphoma.

The cells that are cancerous in Cll are called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. Lymphocytes are also called b-cells and cll is also known a type of b-cell lymphoma.

Its not good to have either cll or diverticulitis, but I don't know that cll would make your diverticulitis worse. If that were an issue and led to treatment, most all first time cll treatments work pretty fast at clearing cll cells from lymph nodes.

Here is a post for recently diagnosed cll folks you might find helpful:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

[LeoPa]

Anti inflammatory diet for diverticulitis.

[aloneifly]

I have CLL and currently receiving treatment.

I also have ulcerative colitis.

I am drugs for the UC. Asacol mainly and it keeps it in check. I have mild stomach pain sometimes but mostly my motions are regular but soft.

Recent colonoscopys mentioned diverticulitis so I'm not really sure if I have UC anymore!

I am still prescribed asacol. I used to take azathioprine until Covid when I then had a colonoscopy to see if I could stop azathioprine as it lowers the immune system. They were happy to do that and increase asacol.

My ibs condition in no way affects my CLL.

I eat as I want too and am rarely troubled by the diverticulitis.

So in summary diverticulitis is nothing to worry about if it's managed if you have CLL

And vice versa I guess!

[Oceanbly in reply to aloneifly]

Thank you very much for that info. Hope you are doing well and continue to do so! Take care hugs