Opinion
Video
Evaluating Current Treatment Landscape of CLL and SLL
A panel of experts explore current treatment strategies in CLL and SLL management.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Peer Exchange involving Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA; Tara Graff, DO, MS; Ryan Jacobs, MD; Deborah Stephens, DO; and Jennifer Woyach, MD.
Stephens discusses how the typical patient journey differs for each chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) patient depending on their molecular risk factors. High-risk patients may need treatment sooner and multiple times, while low-risk patients may never need treatment. The goal is maintaining quality of life as long as possible.
Symptoms to make patients aware of include fatigue, night sweats, and early satiety. During observation (watchandwait), patients are still at high risk for infection and second malignancy, andrequirevaccinations and cancer screenings.
Woyach then elaborates on qualityoflife impacts. Despite a good prognosis allowing for a normal life span for most patients, the initial anxiety of diagnosis and an extended watch-and-wait period can be difficult. Later treatments are typically oral with manageable adverseeffects, but some patients have aggressive disease needing intensive therapy that reduces quality of life.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.
