label: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable-Region Gene Somatic Hypermutation
label_lc: chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma with immunoglobulin heavy chain variable-region gene somatic hypermutation
description: A recently recognized variant of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) expressing somatic hypermutations of the Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) genes.  The recognition of this variant alters the belief that CLL/SLL is always derived from a naive, pregerminal center B-cell.  The presence of somatic hypermutations of IGH genes occurs in approximately 50% of CLL/SLL cases and implies a postgerminal center, memory origin.  Patients with this variant of CLL/SLL have a favorable prognosis, with a reported median survival of more than 24 years.