A rare coexistence of hairy cell leukaemia and pregnancy: a case report

Czech version

Authors: MUDr. Radan Doubek ¹; MUDr. Denisa Petrovová ¹; MUDr. Kateřina Sedláková ¹; prof. MUDr. Michael Doubek, Ph.D. ²
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ¹; Interní hematoonkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ²
Published in: Prakt Gyn 2008; 12(1): 14-16

Overview

The incidence is approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnancies. The incidence of leukemia coincident with pregnancy is reported at 1:75,000 to 1:100,000. Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) represents only 2 % of myeloproliferative disorders. It often presents with splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, anaemia and trombocytopenia. The clinical manifestations are fatigue, infectious complications and haemorrhage. The diagnosis is based on the electrone microscopy and immunophenotyping of lymphocytes of peripheral blood and bone marrow. Treatment of pregnant patients with HCL is best accomplished with interferon alpha.

Case report:
29-year-old woman, the second pregnancy. Her hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count were all decreased (in the 12th week of present pregnancy). Hairy cell leukemia was diagnosed by the electrone microscopy and immunophenotyping of lymphocytes. Interferon alpha was administered and the labour was induced in the 39th week of pregnancy (without any complications). HCL occurring during pregnancy is totaly rare. In the pregnant population, 90 % of leukemias are classified as acute. In addition 80 % of patients with HCL are men at the age of fifty - fifty five.

Key words:
Hairy cell leukemia, immunophenotyping, interferon alpha, pregnancy

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