Two splenectomized patients with hairy cell leukemia were reported. One was 67-year old male with marked leukocytosis (case Y. Y.), the other was 76-year-old female with pancytopenia (case I. T.). Both showed insidious onset, splenomegaly and the presence of hairy cells in the peripheral blood, but no lymphadenopathy. Morphological, cytochemical and immunological analysis were studied on the neoplastic cells in the peripheral blood and spleen.
The neoplastic cells of the both cases showed hairy appearance under phase contrast microscopy, and also were Pox (-), Acp (+), TRAcp (-), PAS (-), α-NA-Est (+), and phagocytic activities (-) for latex particles, carbon black particles and sensitized erythrocytes. Ribosome lamella complex was negative in both cases. On immunological analysis, the neoplastic cells in case Y. Y. showed FcR (+), C3R (-), SmIg (-), Ia like antigen (+), and increased stimulation index in mixed lymphocyte culture. In case I. T., the neoplastic cells showed FcR (-), C3R (+), SmIg-IgG (+), and Ia like antigen (+).
These findings of the neoplastic cells suggested their B-lymphocyte nature. As to the treatment, splenectomy was effective for the patient with pancytopenia, on the other hand, leukapheresis was effective for the patient with leukocytosis.
Twenty cases including the present 2 cases so far reported in Japan were reviewed, and the difference of hairy cell leukemia in Japan from that in USA and Europe was discussed.
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