# A Rare Case of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) Arising After Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in a Single Patient

**Authors:** Lydia George, Tijin Mathew, Benjamin Easow, Krishnamohan R Basarakodu

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85865 · Cureus · 2025-06-12

## TL;DR

A rare case is presented where a patient first had chronic myeloid leukemia and later developed small lymphocytic lymphoma, highlighting unusual disease progression and treatment challenges.

## Contribution

The paper reports a rare case of sequential hematologic malignancies in a single patient, offering insights into potential molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies.

## Key findings

- A 65-year-old male with CML later developed SLL, a rare sequential occurrence.
- The patient's CML responded to bosutinib and dasatinib with cytogenic and molecular remission.
- The case raises questions about the molecular basis of coexisting leukemias and treatment implications.

## Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) are among the most common types of leukemia in adults. However, the sequential development of CLL/SLL following a prior diagnosis of CML in the same individual is exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 65-year-old male initially diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML, who subsequently developed SLL, the tissue-based counterpart of CLL. His CML was initially managed with bosutinib, later switched to dasatinib due to side effects, resulting in both cytogenic and molecular response. Two years later, he was diagnosed with SLL. This report explores the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the coexistence of these distinct hematologic malignancies and highlights important considerations in the selection of appropriate treatment strategies

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** bosutinib (PubChem CID 5328940), dasatinib (PubChem CID 3062316)
- **Diseases:** Chronic myeloid leukemia (MONDO:0011996), Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (MONDO:0004948)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** CML (MESH:D015464), hematologic malignancies (MESH:D019337), CLL (MESH:D015451), leukemia (MESH:D007938)
- **Chemicals:** dasatinib (MESH:D000069439), bosutinib (MESH:C471992)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

7 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12255477/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12255477