Hairy cell leukaemia in the Bloemfontein academic hospitals.

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of patients diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) in the Bloemfontein Academic Hospitals during the past 21 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective study. All HCL patients diagnosed from 1975 to 1996.

SETTING

Haematology clinics of the Universitas and Pelonomi Hospitals in Bloemfontein.

SUBJECTS: All HCL patients diagnosed from 1975 to 1996.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine the clinical and demographic profile, as well as response to treatment, of HCL patients in this region.

RESULTS

A total of 16 HCL patients were studied. There were more males (13) than females and the mean age of the patients was 58 years (35 to 82 year; SD14.8). No Black patients were diagnosed. The patients mostly presented with a cytopenia and splenomegaly was present in 12 of the 14 patients for which spleen size was noted. All of the patients had a splenectomy and six were also treated with 2'-deoxycoformycin (Pentostatin). All six of the patient showed a response to treatment with this purine analogue.

CONCLUSIONS

The presentation of HCL in the Bloemfontein academic hospitals is similar to what is seen world-wide. However, to evaluate the durability of the response to treatment with the purine analogues. Long term follow up is needed.