A Rare Association: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia With Indolent T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia

Curēus
Hafiz A YahyaReza Nejati

Abstract

The association of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) with various lymphoproliferative disorders is well reported in the literature. But the association of wAIHA with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), a very rare lymphoproliferative disorder, has never been reported. A 71-year-old man was in his usual state of health until three years ago when he developed intermittent bouts of worsening anemia associated with mild peripheral blood lymphocytosis. He was diagnosed with wAIHA and steroid therapy was initiated, resulting in an improvement in the hemoglobin level of the patient. His lymphocyte count remained persistently elevated but he did not develop any malignancy-related signs or symptoms. A diagnosis of 'indolent' T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (small cell variant) was made by combining distinctive clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic analysis. His wAIHA went into complete remission and steroid therapy was successfully tapered off. He has not required any treatment for his T-PLL during the last two years' follow-up.

Methods Mentioned

BETA
electrophoresis
biopsy
flow cytometry

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Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurs when antibodies directed against the person's own red blood cells (RBCs) cause them to burst (lyse), leading to an insufficient number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the circulation. Discover the latest research on AIHA here.