B-LINEAGE PROLYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AS A DISTINCT CLINICOPATHOLOGIC ENTITY

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (2) , 399-412
Abstract
There is a controversy over whether PLL [prolymphocytic leukemia] represents one disorder or a heterogeneous group of disorders. Three patients who satisfied Galton''s original diagnostic criteria for PLL were examined by pathologic and immunologic methods. The spleens of these patients showed distinctive pseudonodular pathologic features. The malignant prolymphocytes were characterized as B[bone marrow-derived]-lineage by the presence of surface Ig[immunoglobulin]M and IgD, the expression of HLA-DR antigen, the absence of E[erythrocyte]-rosette formation and the absence of natural killer cell activity. The existence of B-lineage prolymphocytic leukemia is affirmed as a distinct entity with unique pathologic, clinical and immunobiologic characteristics.