Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
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Learn About Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)

What is the definition of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)?
Small lymphocytic lymphoma, also called chronic lymphocytic leukemia, is a slow-growing cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Small lymphocytic leukemia involves immature white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are cells that fight infection. While chronic lymphocytic leukemia mainly affects the blood and bone marrow, small lymphocytic lymphoma mainly affects the lymph nodes.
What are the symptoms of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)?
Symptoms of small lymphocytic lymphoma may not appear for many years. Symptoms of small lymphocytic lymphoma may at first be mild and include discomfort and feeling unwell. As small lymphocytic lymphoma slowly progresses, symptoms depend on the location of the tumor and may include fatigue; shortness of breath; swollen, painless lymph nodes; anemia; bleeding; bruising easily; bone pain; fever; night sweats; abdominal swelling; abdominal pain; feeling full after eating a small amount; unexplained weight loss; an enlarged spleen; and frequent infections.
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What are the current treatments for Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)?
Treatment for small lymphocytic lymphoma depends on the symptoms, the rate at which the cancer is progressing, and an individual’s particular genetic mutations, age, and overall health. Initial treatment for individuals with small lymphocytic lymphoma without symptoms may include watchful waiting. As small lymphocytic lymphoma progresses, treatment may include combination targeted therapies and immunotherapies, such as ibrutinib with or without rituximab, ibrutinib and Obinutuzumab, venetoclax with or without rituximab, venetoclax with Obinutuzumab, and alemtuzumab. Chemotherapy is now rarely used to treat small lymphocytic lymphoma; however, it may still be a treatment option and is usually used in combination with targeted therapies and immunotherapies, such as chlorambucil and Obinutuzumab; fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab; ofatumumab and chlorambucil; rituximab and chlorambucil; bendamustine; and corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone and prednisone. Maintenance therapy for patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma who have responded to treatment may include ofatumumab, rituximab, and lenalidomide. Patients with relapsed/refractory small lymphocytic lymphoma may be treated with ibrutinib with or without rituximab or Obinutuzumab, venetoclax with or without rituximab or Obinutuzumab, idelalisib and rituximab or Obinutuzumab, acalabrutinib with or without rituximab or Obinutuzumab, duvelisib, and lenalidomide with or without rituximab. Treatment with allogenic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant from a living donor may provide a cure for patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma but carries a risk of complications. Supportive care for patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma may also include vaccinations to prevent infections. Long-term follow-up for patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma is necessary to monitor disease progression, treatment effects, and to prevent and treat any infections.
Who are the top Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) Local Doctors?
Stephen J. Schuster
Elite in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
Elite in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)

Abramson Cancer Center Perelman 4th Floor West

3400 Civic Center Boulevard, West Pavilion, 4th Floor, 
Philadelphia, PA 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Stephen Schuster is a Hematologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Schuster is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). His top areas of expertise are Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, B-Cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Nina Wagner
Elite in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
Oncology | Hematology
Elite in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
Oncology | Hematology

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, MD 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Dr. Nina Wagner-Johnston is Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her areas of clinical expertise include non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and HIV-related lymphomas. Dr. Wagner-Johnston serves as the Director for the Lymphoma Drug Development Program at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Wagner-Johnston received her baccalaureate degree in nursing from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She earned her MD and completed her residency training at the University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois. She performed a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Wagner-Johnston joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2015. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Wagner-Johnston was an Assistant Professor at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Her research interests include clinical trial and biomarker development for patients with lymphoma. She is additionally involved in palliative/supportive care research and has a particular interest in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Wagner-Johnston serves as a member on the NCCN Cancer Related Fatigue Guidelines Panel and the ASCO Neuropathy Guidelines Panel. She has served as a journal reviewer for Annals of Oncology, Leukemia and Lymphoma, Blood, and the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. She is a previous recipient of a Young Investigator Award at the Supportive Oncology Conference as well as a Mentoring Program Award through the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has served on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Lymphoma Steering Committee Clinical Trials Design Committee and the NCI Symptom Management and Health Related Quality of Life Steering Committee. She is a member of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the AIDS Malignancies Consortium (AMC), and the Eastern Cancer Oncology Group (ECOG) Lymphoma Committee. Dr. Wagner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). Her top areas of expertise are Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, B-Cell Lymphoma, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

 
 
 
 
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Syed N. Haider
Distinguished in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
Distinguished in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)

Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic

2900 W Oklahoma Ave, 
Milwaukee, WI 
Languages Spoken:
English, Urdu
Offers Telehealth

Syed Haider is a Hematologist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Haider is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL). His top areas of expertise are Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), Multiple Myeloma, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant.

What are the latest Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) Clinical Trials?
An Open-Label, Phase 1/2 Study of JCAR017 in Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (017004)

Summary: This is a Phase 1/2, open-label, multicenter study to determine the efficacy and safety of JCAR017 in adult subjects with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL. The study will include a Phase 1 part to determine the recommended dose of JCAR017 monotherapy in subjects with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL, followed by a Phase 2 part to further assess the efficacy and safety of JCAR017 monotherapy trea...

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A Phase 3, Open-label, Randomized Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Nemtabrutinib (MK-1026) Plus Venetoclax Versus Venetoclax Plus Rituximab in Participants With Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Following at Least 1 Prior Therapy (BELLWAVE-010)

Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability and to confirm the dose of nemtabrutinib in combination with venetoclax in participants with R/R CLL/SLL. The primary study hypotheses are that the combination of nemtabrutinib plus venetoclax is superior to VR with respect to progression-free survival (PFS) per 2018 International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) cr...