Chronic Leukemia

Question 1

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Answer 1

Neoplastic proliferation of naive B-cells.

Primarily in people > 60 yrs old.

Can cause lymphadenopathy (SLL)

B-cells do not mature to plasma cells –> hypogammaglobulinemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Question 2

Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)

Answer 2

Type of B-cell leukemia (similar to CLL)

“Hairy” cytoplasmic processes

Splenomegaly. NO lymphadenopathy.

TRAP stain positive

Overexpression of Cyclin D1

Responds to 2-CDA

Question 3

Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL)

Answer 3

Proliferation of mature CD4 T-cells

Associated with HTLV-1 retrovirus

Rash, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly