Splenectomy for end-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Cancer. 1987 May 15;59(10):1815-8. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19870515)59:10<1815::aid-cncr2820591022>3.0.co;2-9.

Abstract

Between February 1980 and December 1985, splenectomies were performed in 13 patients with advanced (Stage III and IV) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients had advanced disease for a median of 32 months at the time of splenectomy and all were refractory to chemotherapy. All patients were anemic with a median hematocrit of 27.5%; nine patients were thrombocytopenic with a median platelet count of 46,000/microliter. There was no surgical mortality and minimal morbidity. Median hematocrit was 35% at 1 month and 6 months postsplenectomy. Median platelet count in previously thrombocytopenic patients was 261,000/microliter at 1 month and 177,000/microliter at 6 months postsplenectomy. Median survival postsplenectomy in this advanced patient group was 24 months with four patients surviving more than 30 months. Splenectomy is a valuable adjunct to the management of end-stage CLL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actuarial Analysis
  • Aged
  • Anemia / surgery
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / mortality
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Platelet Count
  • Splenectomy*
  • Thrombocytopenia / surgery