Mantle cell leukemia, prolymphocytoid type: a rarely described form

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Flow Cytometry

Background:

• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) can present with leukemic manifestations, though typically in advanced stages.
• Peripheral blood findings in MCL leukemia usually involve cells resembling mantle cells or, less commonly, a blastic morphology.

Observation:

• A prolymphocytic leukemia with the characteristic t(11;14) translocation has been previously noted, but lacked comprehensive flow cytometry data.
• This report focuses on a specific subtype: mantle cell leukemia, prolymphocytoid type, with complete flow cytometric immunophenotypic profiling.

Findings:

• A 90-year-old female presented with an elevated white blood cell count, leading to the diagnosis of mantle cell leukemia, prolymphocytoid type.
• Diagnosis was confirmed through a combination of peripheral blood flow cytometry, cytomorphology, and bone marrow cyclin D1 immunohistochemistry.
• This case provides complete flow cytometric data for this rare entity.

Implications:

• The description of this rare entity aims to increase clinician awareness of mantle cell leukemia, prolymphocytoid type.
• Complete immunophenotypic data aids in accurate diagnosis and classification of rare leukemic subtypes.
• Understanding rare presentations of MCL is crucial for timely and appropriate patient management.