What is the prognosis for CLL/SLL when it has spread to the chest and abdomen?
CLL and SLL are considered two expressions of the same disease. In CLL, cancer cells are mostly found in the bone marrow and blood, while in SLL, cancer cells tend to gather in the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues — including those in the chest Show Full Answer
What is the prognosis for CLL/SLL when it has spread to the chest and abdomen?
CLL and SLL are considered two expressions of the same disease. In CLL, cancer cells are mostly found in the bone marrow and blood, while in SLL, cancer cells tend to gather in the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues — including those in the chest and abdomen.
When cancer cells are found in organs like the liver or spleen, this generally indicates a more advanced stage. This can mean a more challenging outlook, but it's important to remember that many factors shape an individual prognosis. Factors that may point to a harder road ahead include:
- Older age
- Cancer cells that are multiplying quickly
- Certain chromosome changes (like deletions on chromosomes 11 or 17)
- High levels of proteins like ZAP-70, CD38, or beta-2 microglobulin
- Large numbers of leukemic cells in the bone marrow
- An unmutated IGHV gene
On the brighter side, factors that may improve outlook include:
- Low ZAP-70 protein levels
- A mutated IGHV gene
- Slower-growing cancer cells The overall five-year survival rate for CLL/SLL in the US is around 86 percent. Treatments are constantly improving, so current outcomes may actually be better than these statistics reflect.
Doctors use a tool called the CLL International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) to give a more personalized risk score based on genetics, stage, and age. Speaking with a doctor about your specific situation is the best way to understand what your prognosis looks like.
April 26
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