Blastic natural killer cell lymphoma/leukemia: a report of seven cases

Am J Clin Pathol. 2002 Jan;117(1):41-50. doi: 10.1309/uuxv-yrl8-gxp7-hr4h.

Abstract

Only a few blastic natural killer (NK) cell leukemias and lymphomas have been reported. As such, the clinicopathologic spectrum of this disease is incompletely understood. We report 7 cases of blastic NK cell lymphoma/leukemia. All patients were men, 5 white and 2 Arab American. All cases exhibited blastic morphologic features and were CD3- and CD56+ with germline T-cell receptor genes. Five cases were CD4+ and involved the skin. Both CD4- cases never involved the skin. Other markers of mature NK cells such as CD16, CD57, and TIA-1 were expressed infrequently. Three cases were CD33+. One CD33+ case had a clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Skin and lymph nodes were involved most often, with frequent evolution to a leukemic phase. Initial responses to therapy were achieved in most patients, but the tumors invariably recurred.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / genetics
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / pathology*
  • Leukemic Infiltration
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell