Non Hodgkin's B Cell SLL Lymphoma

What is small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)?

SLL is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the B-lymphocytes of the immune system. These B-cells may be present in lymph nodes and lymphoid tissue such as the spleen and the tonsils.

SLL has many similarities to a type of leukaemia called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) which also affects the B-cells, primarily in the blood and bone marrow, with lymph node involvement also possible. Like SLL, CLL is classified as a low grade disease and due to their likeness; SLL and CLL will usually be coupled together when explained in the literature and expressed as: SLL/CLL. The distinction of this grouping of non- Hodgkin lymphoma is made by a special laboratory test that identifies specific proteins on the surface of the B cells known as CD5 and CD19.
How does SLL affect the body?

The first sign of SLL is usually a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin which is caused by enlarged lymph nodes due to infiltration of normal lymph nodes by the cancerous B-cells. Often more than one group of nodes is affected. The cells may also be present in other areas such as the blood or bone marrow to a lesser extent than CLL. Other symptoms of SLL may include night sweats, fevers and unexplained weight loss.

AUTHOR COMMENTS

For the last 12 years, I thought that I had Non-Hodgkin's "B" Cell Lymphoma which is true but I had not been adding the SLL classification to its title and in so doing had been laboring under a false identification of my cancer.

My wife has Non-Hodgkin's "B" Cell Lymphoma but her classification is FOLLICULAR... and my understanding was that she simply had non Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma and that would have been incorrect.

ODD, how it takes some of us a long time to fully understand a situation...  and, maybe it is not some of us but just ME.