Large swollen lymph nodes but leukocytes are normal range???

[Veebeegeebee]

Why do lymph nodes swell if leukocytes are in normal range?

[SofiaDeo]

Leukocyte levels are what is in the bloodstream. CLL cells may or may not accumulate in lymph nodes and spleen, in addition to bone marrow and blood.

For example, at my diagnosis my bone marrow was almost completely infiltrated before lymphocytes started spilling & building up in the blood, while my spleen and lymph nodes were not noticeably enlarged. Others may have swollen nodes, or spleen, with low or high blood levels.

The SLL version of CLL are people whose disease is mainly in the nodes and spleen. Their blood levels may not reach the high levels of those whose disease is not accumulating in those organs, but instead is accumulating in the bloodstream.

[stevesmith1964 in reply to SofiaDeo]

My WBC was 3.6 at diagnosis but marrow was 100% infiltrated and I had enlarged lymph nodes through my body, one as big a a cricket ball near my heart. I was asymptomatic at my stage 4 diagnosis

[BigfootT]

I have enlarged nodes throughout my body and my ALC is normal even though Flow showed CLL in the blood. The doctor just said I have a SLL.

[Big_Dee]

Hello Veebeegeebee

Good question. We are also so different. I have never had visible lymph nodes but rather massive bulky abdominal lymph nodes. I don't recall what my BMB infiltration rate was. I have been through two different CLL treatments. Blessings.