However, MBCL usually does not present with splenomegaly, peripheral blood or bone marrow involvement. In addition, MBCL is CD 25 and TRAP negative. PLL is sometimes included in the differential diagnosis because both peripheral blood and spleen are often involved. HCL is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorder that primarily affects elderly white men. Patients are often pancytopenic and have enlarged spleens are presentation.
Peripheral lymphadenopathy is usually inconspicuous.
The clinical course of HCL is indolent and treatment is usually not required until severe pancytopenia occurs. Most patients eventually will develop progressive disease, however. Following splenectomy, a minority of patients experience longlasting improvement without further treatment. Hairy Cell Leukemia - Current Status. Beth B. Hewitt, M.D. Department of Pathology University of Virginia Health System.