leukaemia (prolymphocytic)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Prolymphocytic leukaemia is a rare variant of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Approximately 80% are B-cell and 20% T-cell types. B-cell occurs predominantly in men over 60 years of age.
The prolymphocytes are larger, and less mature looking than the typical lymphocytes of CLL. They contain abundant cytoplasm and a prominent nucleolus.
PLL runs a more rapid course than CLL. The white cell count is considerably raised - more than 350 x 10^9 per litre, and splenomegaly is present. Lymphadenopathy is absent.
The disease responds little to chemotherapy and carries a poor prognosis.