Diagnosis and Management of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)Versus Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Authors

  • Anthea Peters, MD, MSc, FRCPC Hematologist, Cross Cancer Institute. Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta.
  • Robert Puckrin, MD, FRCPC Alberta Health Services and University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cht.2025.4167

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are recognized as a single disease entity with distinct phenotypic manifestations, characterized by predominant peripheral blood (PB) involvement in CLL and nodal and/or splenic disease in SLL1-3. This article explores the historically divergent approaches taken to treat CLL and SLL, highlights recent advances in understanding their shared biology, and advocates for a unified approach to real-world management and clinical trial eligibility for both conditions.

Author Biographies

Anthea Peters, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Hematologist, Cross Cancer Institute. Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta.

Dr. Peters is a hematologist based at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta and an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Alberta. She completed her MD at the University of Saskatchewan, internal medicine residency training at the University of Alberta and hematology training as well as a lymphoma fellowship at the University of Calgary. Her clinical and research interests are centred around lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with a special interest in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Robert Puckrin, MD, FRCPC, Alberta Health Services and University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

Dr. Robert Puckrin is a hematologist at the Arthur Child Cancer Centre and the University of Calgary in Calgary, Canada. His main interests are in lymphoma, cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, clinical trials, and real-world data.

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Published

2025-05-05

How to Cite

1.
Peters A, Puckrin R. Diagnosis and Management of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)Versus Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Can Hematol Today [Internet]. 2025 May 5 [cited 2025 Sep. 23];4(1):48-52. Available from: https://canadianhematologytoday.com/article/view/4-1-Peters_et_al

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Volume 4, Issue 1, Spring 2025

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