New Test Results - Time for Treatment?

[Guest guest]

Hi

It's been a few months since I wrote in, but have some

questions about my status and what the doctor is current

recommending, treatment wise. Brief summary of my

situation:

1. 62 year old male in generally good condition (all things

considered). Good physical shape, work out regularly and

all other things relatively normal.

2. D/X with CLL 2 years ago due to rising WBC.

3. Have had blood work every three months since then.

4. Blood

a. WBC now at 41.7 - doubling time has been > 12 months

(a year ago I was 28.5)

b. Hemaglobin, RBC, platelets etc in good shape.

c. Negative prognosticators

1. 11q negative

2. Pos CD38 (80%)

3. My ZAP 70 is now borderline (whatever that

means). 6 months ago it was low)

4. Fortunately, I'm OK on 17q - no problems there

5. While I don't have lymphadenopathy, my lymph glands are

starting to get larger - largest one in neck has increased

to 1.3 X 1.9 (from .9X1.5 6 months ago)

6. Next steps recommended by the oncologist:

a. Bone marrow test later this summer, followed by

b. 4 - 6 month regimen of probably a BR combo

(Bendamustine/Rituximab). This is just the doctor's

initial thought based on my situation and he hasn't

ruled out the traditional FCR.

Questions:

1. Realizing we won't decide completely until the marrow

test, does the BR combo look OK? From what I've read in

some of the studies, this sounds like a good possibility.

2. Depending on marrow results, he might change this to

just Rituximab only to see how it goes.

3. Right now, we're waiting about another 3 months to start

- however, I do get some occasionaly " tight " feeling my neck

(assume it's the lymph glands starting to show their

colors).

4. While I definitely don't want to start treatment too

early, it looks like that, because of my age and physical

condition, the suggestion is to try " more agressive "

treatments early on because of my negatives. Any thoughts?

thanks for any input

Charlie