What is Pro-lymphocytic Leukemia?
Pro-lymphocytic leukemia is a variant of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with larger and less differentiated cells.
Pathogenesis during Pro-lymphocytic Leukemia
The following variants of prolymphocytic leukemia are distinguished:
- The B-cell variant is the most common.
- T-cell variant – is rare; Helper subpopulations are detected more often than suppressor subpopulations.
Diagnosis of Prolymphocytic Leukemia
With prolymphocytic leukemia in the peripheral blood and bone marrow punctate prolymphocytes prevail (more than 55%). Pathological cells in 75-80% of patients have a B-cell phenotype, which in their biological characteristics are more mature lymphoid elements than lymphocytes in a typical B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In 20-25% of patients, the cells have a T-cell phenotype, in such cases the disease is more severe, with severe leukocytosis, progresses rapidly, therapy is not very effective.
A characteristic feature of prolymphocytic leukemia is expressed leukocytosis and splenomegaly with slightly enlarged lymph nodes, as well as resistance to cytostatics.
Treatment of Pro-lymphocytic Leukemia
Pro-lymphocytic leukemia is usually resistant to polychemotherapy.