[The clinical and laboratory characteristics of T cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the characteristics of T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGLL).

METHODS

Retrospectively analyze the clinical and laboratory data of 27 patients with T-LGLL diagnosed between 1999 and 2007 in our hospital.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 48 years. All patients were symptomatic, mainly complaining of fatigue. Of the 27 patients, 14 (51.9%) had splenomegaly, and 4(14.8%) hepatomegaly. Rheumatoid arthritis was not present in any patients. The most frequent hematological abnormality was anemia (24 patients, 88.9%) with a median Hb level of 57.5 g/L. Pure red cell aplasia was found in 18 patients (66.67%). The median WBC count was 4.24 x 10(9)/L and 19 cases were neutropenia (ANC < 1.5 x 10(9)/L). The median LGL count in peripheral blood was 1.45 x 10(9)/L and most of them (77.8%) were less than 2.0 x 10(9)/L. Twenty-two patients (81.5%) showed the CD3+ CD8+ CD57+ CD56(-) LGL phenotype. With immunosuppressive therapy, 91.3% of patients responded and complete hematological remission rate was 65.2%.

CONCLUSION

T-LGLL mainly presented with anemia and complete hematological remission rate was 65.2%. Pure red cell aplasia was commonly associated with the disease. The patients had a good response to immunosuppressive therapy.