A Case Report on Aggressive Natural Killer Cell Leukemia in a Pediatric Patient
Umberto M Donato1, Celeste Shoeleh1, Andrew Galligan2,1
1Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, USA.
Abstract:
Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare neoplastic malignancy, especially in pediatric populations with very few cases reported in the literature. It commonly presents with a rapidly declining clinical course and has a median survival of two months. We report the case of a 15-year-old female who presented with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, hemophagocytosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The patient was ultimately diagnosed with ANKL but died after developing multiorgan failure and DIC prior to the initiation of any treatment. In this case report, we review and discuss the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of ANKL in pediatric patients.
