B-Prolymphocytic Leukaemia - A Mantle Zone Lymphoma?

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Abstract
A case of prolymphocytic lymphoma/leukemia (PL) sensu Galton in a 32 yr old man was presented. The leukocyte count was 19.0 .times. 109/l at presentation and tartrate resistent acid phosphatase was present in most prolymphocytes. Immunological investigation of prolymphocytes from lymph nodes, spleen and peripheral blood revealed the surface marker phenotype: SmIg[immunoglobulin]+ (.mu., (.delta.), .lambda.), IgG-Fc-receptor+, C3 [complement component 3]-receptor+. The prolymphocytes from lymph nodes and spleen were C3-receptor+ in a high percentage, while only a few were IgG-Fc-receptor+. This proportion was reversed in the blood prolymphocytes. The histology of lymph nodes was unique and strongly suggested a preferential involvement (homing phenomenon) of the mantle zone of the lymphatic follicle. Emission of prolymphocytes from lymph nodes to circulation may involve a change of surface receptors. In the case of tartrate resistent acid phosphatase-positive lymphoma/leukemia, consideration of the diagnosis of hairy-cell leukemia and PL is suggested.