[Chronic T-cell lymphocytic leukemia. Report of two cases (author's transl)]

Two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia of T-cell immunological origin are studied. One case was of the prolymphocytic variety, and the other corresponded to the "classical" type of chronic T-cell lymphocytic leukemia. From a morphological point of view what stood out was the hyperchromatic aspect of the cytoplasm of the lymphocytic proliferation. The high increase of acid hydrolases localized preferentially in the centrosomic area was the main cytochemical characteristic. Isoenzymatic study of leukocytic acid phosphatase showed a noticeable increase of band 3 and the absence of supernumerary band 3b. Immunological analysis revealed a significant decrease of the surface immunoglobulins and a rise in absolute terms in the number of lymphocytes forming spontaneous rosettes. In the case of the prolymphocytic variety what was particularly noticeable was the great number of lymphocytes bearing complement receptors. The combination of cytomorphologic, isoenzymatic and immunological data make it possible to differentiate between lymphoproliferative diseases of T and B-cell origin at the present time.