Hairy Cell Leukemia: A Morphological Dilemma in Case of Low Peripheral Blood Hairy Cell Count

Abstract

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a lympho-proliferative neoplasm of mature B cells with an indolent course, representing 2 to 3% of all leukemias. It clinically presents as bicytopenia and splenomegaly. We here present a case report where peripheral blood smear showed few lymphoid cells with hairy projections. A suspicion of hairy cell leukemia was given which was confirmed later on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy followed by flow cytometry which showed positive staining with CD19, CD20, CD11c, CD25, CD103, FMC-7, CD79b, CD123, consistent with classical hairy cell leukemia (HCL). This case highlights the importance of a sincere peripheral blood examination in case of cytopenias, and a high level of suspicion in cases of a low peripheral hairy cell count which can easily be missed.

Keywords: Hairy cell leukemia, flow cytometry, lympho-proliferative neoplasm, Hairy B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (HBLD)

Cite this Article

Jubeda Bano, Kishore Khatri, Rajni Joshee et al. Hairy Cell Leukemia: A Morphological Dilemma in Case of Low Peripheral Blood Hairy Cell Count. Research & Reviews: Journal of Oncology and Hematology. 2018; 7(2): 18–21p.