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Suppression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by polycythemia vera
Author(s) -
Vianicholas J.,
Essman Leonard J.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197106)27:6<1337::aid-cncr2820270610>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - medicine , polycythemia vera , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , lymphocyte , bone marrow , asymptomatic , leukemia , hematocrit , immunology , pathology
Abstract A patient with a 5‐year history of asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed polycythemia vera with a reduction in absolute lymphocyte counts and bone marrow lymphocytes. In vitro phytohemagglutinin stimulation studies performed at this time demonstrated a reduction below normal in the percent of lymphocytes that were transformed to blast cells. After several phlebotomies of whole blood, a significant increase in absolute lymphocyte count and bone marrow lymphocytes was observed. Subsequent follow‐up revealed a gradual increase in hematocrit and absolute granulocyte count and a simultaneous decrease in the absolute lymphocyte count. These findings strongly suggest that the preexisting chronic lymphocytic leukemia was suppressed by the polycythemic process.