Suggest Treatment When Diagnosed With Lupus And Lymphocytic Leukemia

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015

Question: Sorry, my name is XXXXXXX My 70 year old husband has been diagnosed with Lupus and CLL. He is under the care of an oncologist in our area but I feel like I'm watching him die because he's loosing so much weight. He's 6' and weighs around 168.
He's very "closed off" about his situation.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment depends on stage of disease.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
She has lupus and CLL.
Treatment depends on stage of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In early stage just monitoring is required. In later stage chemotherapy should be given. Drugs like chlorambucil is helpful. But all treatment depends on stage of disease. His total wbc count, hemoglobin platelet count everything affect the treatment.

So please send me his report of complete blood count. So that I can help you further.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (29 minutes later)

Hello Dr.,
His last tests were:
WBC 43.55
RBC 4.28
HGB 12.7
HCT 41.0
MCV 96.2
MCH 29.8
MCHC 31.0
PLT 151
Neu% 15.4
LY% 80.0
MO% 3.5
EO% 0.3
BA % 0.1
Neu# (ANC) 6.72
LY# 35.16
MO# 1.52
EO# 0.12
BA# 0.03
RDW-CV.% 15.0
MPV 10.7

I've just sent the results of his CBCdated 6/16/15 Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
He should start chemotherapy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern. His hemoglobin and platelets are normal. But he has weight loss so he needs treatment.
There are many treatment options are available for CLL. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and targeted therapy are the options for him.

Surgery is indicated only if he has spleen enlargement. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy is useful. According to my opinion he should take chemotherapy plus steroids.

He should take chlorambucil plus prednisone or other agents according to need.

All are prescription based medicine so consult your doctor and start treatment accordingly.

Continue his escitalopram and tamsulosin as per advice.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any doubts then feel free to ask me. I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar