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What are Smudge Cells? Do they indicate CLL?

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: May 12, 2023 | Replies (18)
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@loribmt

Hi @vero210, mom’s are notorious for ‘I’m fine, nothing’s wrong’… She’s lucky to have an attentive daughter who is proactive for her mom’s health. ☺️

If your mom is dealing with smudge cells, I think you’re already aware that this could be an indication of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), though there are also some other occurrences where cells can be fragile and ‘smear’ when being tested.

I know the word leukemia puts fear in any heart. But CLL is generally very slow to develop and often patients don’t require any treatment for years. So take a deep breath and we’ll wait to find out what your mom’s bloodwork shows. I had a very serious and aggressive form of leukemia and now in a durable remission. (My daughter was in the same position of ‘fearing the worst’). I know the anxiety of bloodwork but it’s also beneficial to find things out early if there is an issue. And often, what we imagine is much worse than reality. 🙃

Is your mom having the peripheral blood smear done soon? Let me know what you find out, ok?

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Replies to "Hi @vero210, mom’s are notorious for ‘I’m fine, nothing’s wrong’… She’s lucky to have an attentive..."
vero210 | @vero210 | Mar 19, 2023

They haven’t set a date for that yet. I told her she needs to get on it asap and rush her pcp so hopefully this week she will get it done, she’s hid it for so long, I don’t understand why!! I told her that we are all here for what ever she needs so let’s do it sooner than later! I’m the bossy middle child 😩

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rnpeggyh0419 | @rnpeggyh0419 | Mar 20, 2023

Those labs overall look good. The elevated leukocytes did bump up the WBC which is expected. Otherwise, everything else is normal As mentioned above, if CLL is indicated, it's slow moving and may not need any treatment at all or not for a while. I was diagnosed with CLL in 2020 on a routine lab draw. My PCP had noticed elevated lymphocytes (about4.5, which is not very elevated!) on an ongoing basis so he decided to do further testing. CLL was indicated in the smears, genetic testing, etc. Further record checking indicated that those elevated lymphocytes went back to 2014! Today I am still asymptomatic and don't require treatment. My WBC is normal and lymphos are 3,8. I am very fortunate so far. I am told that CLL is a good leukemia to have if you have to have leukemia.

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