chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

A neoplasm of monomorphic small, round B-cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and lymph nodes with prolymphocytes, usually expressing CD5 and CD23. The term small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) refers to tissue infiltrates with the morphology and phenotype of CLL, but without known leukaemia (SLL, c/w CLL).
 
Occurrence 90% of adult leukaemias; usually in the 7th decade.
 
Presentation sites
Bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes (rarely, aleukemic = SLL), spleen, liver.
 
Stage
80% are stage A at presentation; 20% are stage B or C.
Lab
Hypogammaglobulinemia, autoimmune, M-component.