ATLL is an aggressive proliferation of highly atypical T lymphocytes associated with HTLV-1, involving the peripheral blood, skin, liver, spleen, etc. T gamma lymphocytosis True T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is exceptionally rare and must be distinguished from the various subtypes of the T g lymphocytosis syndrome and from T prolymphocytic leukemia. Nearly all have a CD4 T-helper phenotype. Too few definitive cases have been studied to define the clinical course. T g lymphocytosis syndrome is the most important of the T-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.
Recurrent infections are the most common presentation.
Rheumatoid arthritis is found in one-third of patients. The spleen is enlarged in 50 to 70 percent. Lymphadenopathy is uncommon. About one-quarter slowly progress to death due to infection secondary to neutropenia. Chemotherapy is not very effective.