laboratory findings
Last reviewed 01/2018
- pancytopenia occurs in over 50% of cases - a result of marrow failure and splenic sequestration
- anaemia is common
- thrombocytopenia and neutropenia found in 75% of cases
- peripheral blood smear shows small numbers of "hairy cells" characterised by numerous cytoplasmic projections; less frequently, the hairs dominate the smear
- hairy cells stain positively for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and express CD11c and CD25
- hairy cells often infiltrate the red pulp of the spleen
- bone marrow is often dry and inaspirable