Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a cancer of the white blood cells, specifically the “lymphocytes”, thus affecting their true function. This type of white blood cell helps fend off infections and kills pathogens. SLL symptoms can’t be detected in the early stages. The symptoms of SLL usually show up after a blood test and these may be indications of a complication.
TYPES
This disease usually affects people who are aged 65 years old and above. It is more common among men than among women.
Things that bring about a higher risk of SLL are:
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of LSS are not visible even if you are already diagnosed with it. The disease can only be determined after a blood test.
Some people are diagnosed with SLL when they exhibit symptoms for a year. When symptoms manifest, these may include:
DIAGNOSIS
The main test to diagnose SLL is a lymph node biopsy. In this procedure, your doctor will remove all or part of the lymph node and examine it to look for any signs of cancer.
Your doctor may also conduct a bone marrow examination. This procedure can be done during surgery. It removes marrow that is located in the hip bone.
TREATMENT
If you have no symptoms, your doctor will monitor and observe your symptoms and will start treatment if he or she has found that the disease has become severe.
Here are the treatment options that you can choose from:
Chemotherapy. There are effective anti-cancer drugs that can destroy and eliminate cancer cells. These medicines can be in the form of pills, tablets or IV solutions. These treatments can resolve the symptoms and signs of cancer; however, there may be a relapse.
Monoclonal antibody therapy. These drugs help the immune system fight back against cancer cells and infection. A monoclonal antibody is a man-made antibody that precisely targets and destroys cancer cells.
Radiation therapy. This is one of the most common treatments for cancers. It uses radiation or high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in the affected area of the body. It is used during the early symptoms of SLL when the disease hasn’t spread yet.
Targeted therapy. This therapy may be used in a patient if the other treatments do not work to treat SLL. These drugs attack and target one or more specific receptors on cancer cells.
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]
