## Most Common NHL in Adults **Key Point:** Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) / Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults, accounting for ~30% of all NHLs in Western populations and a significant proportion in India. ## Epidemiology & Presentation **High-Yield:** SLL/CLL typically presents in patients >50 years with: - Painless lymphadenopathy - Hepatosplenomegaly - Often discovered incidentally on routine blood work - Indolent course with long survival (median 10–15 years) ## Histopathology & Immunophenotype | Feature | SLL/CLL | |---------|----------| | **Morphology** | Small, mature-appearing lymphocytes; "soccer ball" or smudge cells on touch prep | | **CD markers** | CD5+, CD19+, CD20+ (dim), CD23+ | | **Cytochemistry** | Positive for acid phosphatase (TRAP-positive in hairy cell variant) | | **Prognosis** | Indolent; Rai/Binet staging used | **Clinical Pearl:** The CD5+ B-cell phenotype distinguishes SLL/CLL from other small B-cell lymphomas (follicular lymphoma is CD5−, CD10+). ## Why SLL/CLL is Most Common 1. Age-related incidence increases sharply after 50 years 2. Indolent biology allows prolonged survival and accumulation of cases 3. Often diagnosed on routine CBC before symptoms appear 4. Accounts for ~25–30% of all lymphoid malignancies in developed countries **Mnemonic: "CLL is COMMON"** — Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most common adult lymphoma.
Sign up free to access AI-powered MCQ practice with detailed explanations and adaptive learning.