The simultaneous occurrence of variant hairy cell leukemia and chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of second malignancies in patients with hairy cell leukemia is not uncommon. Most second malignancies are solid tumors or other lymphoproliferative proliferative disorders. In this study, a case of a tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive hairy cell leukemia variant with the subsequent development of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is reported. METHODS: Routine morphology was performed on the peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen. Peripheral smears were stained for TRAP. Peripheral blood was studied by two-color flow cytometry for a panel of lymphocytic markers including CD11, CD25, and CD103. Cytogenetic studies were performed on a bone marrow aspirate. RESULTS: A unique case of a hairy cell leukemia variant and CML in a patient who responded to the new purine analog 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) is presented. CONCLUSIONS: The first case of concurrent hairy cell leukemia with CML is reported.