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The World’s Leading Authority for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients

CLL / SLL Diagnosis

It would be hard to overstate the importance of getting a correct diagnosis, as the diagnosis determines the appropriate treatment.

The only way to definitively diagnose CLL is with a sophisticated test called flow cytometry that looks at the immune fingerprint of the cancerous clones. In CLL, this can almost always be done on the blood, but for SLL a lymph node biopsy may be necessary.

Bone marrow biopsies are rarely indicated as part of a routine blood work-up for CLL/ SLL. CT scans and PET scans are almost never needed at time of diagnosis.

Action Items for Diagnosis

Get the correct diagnosis.

Make certain that your diagnosis is confirmed with flow cytometry.

Ask "Why?"

CT scans and PET scans are almost never needed at time of diagnosis. 
If your healthcare team is recommending bone marrow biopsies and extensive imaging ask “WHY?” and consider getting a 2nd opinion!

Get the correct diagnosis.

Make certain that your diagnosis is confirmed with flow cytometry.

Ask “Why?”

CT scans and PET scans are almost never needed at time of diagnosis. 
If your healthcare team is recommending bone marrow biopsies and extensive imaging ask “WHY?” and consider getting a 2nd opinion!

ADDITIONAL READING

The Risk Of Secondary Cancer Associated With > 8 CT Scans In Patients With NHL (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) Take Away Points: Although CLL is a form of NHL, this study is in a different demographic with a different disease and different treatment. More than 8 CT Scan was associated
This is a lengthy and detailed review of a complicated subject, full of excellent references, representing the extensive research and the strong and well reasoned opinions of the writer, Wayne Wells AKA WWW. WWW is a well respected contributer to CLL patient forums. The reader may want to chew
Takeaway Points: To diagnose chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), there needs to be ≥5000 monoclonal (genetically identical) B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood for the duration of at least three months. The clonal nature of the circulating B-lymphocytes should be confirmed by flow cytometry (a test