Abstract
T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) can involve extramedullary sites, but the diagnosis is usually established by examination of blood and bone marrow. As a result, the histologic findings at extramedullary sites are poorly documented in the literature. We describe 19 extramedullary biopsy specimens from 14 patients with T-PLL. Skin (n = 10) was the most common site biopsied. T-PLL surrounded dermal blood vessels and appendages (n = 6), diffusely replaced dermis (n = 3), or formed a subcutaneous mass (n = 1). Other extramedullary sites included liver and lymph nodes (3 each) and spleen, lung, and cecum (1 each). In liver and lymph nodes, the neoplasm predominantly involved portal tracts and paracortex, respectively. Cytologically, the T-PLL cells were round (n = 16) or Sezary cell-like (n = 3). Nucleoli were observed in a subset of cells in 8 specimens and were prominent in 3 specimens. Immunostaining for T-cell leukemia-1 (TCL-1) was positive in specimens from 9 (64%) of 14 patients. We conclude that the prolymphocytoid features of T-PLL cells can be difficult to detect in routinely stained sections of extramedullary biopsy specimens. TCL-1 expression can aid in diagnosis at extramedullary sites.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.