Prolymphocytic leukemia is a very aggressive and rare form of chronic leukemia. It affects and leads to an overgrowth of blood cells called lymphocytes, which play an important part in fighting infections. In people with this condition, a type of large lymphocyte cells known as prolymphocytes are generated too much and dominate other blood cells. Unlike other types of leukemia that often progress slowly, prolymphocytic leukemia tends to be aggressive, making it difficult to treat. [1]
Subtypes of Prolymphocytic Leukemia
Prolymphocytic leukemia can be divided into two main subtypes:
– T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: Around 20 percent of reported cases of prolymphocytic leukemia are diagnosed with this form. It leads to the development of too many T-cell prolymphocytes
– B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: Around 80 percent of reported cases of prolymphocytic leukemia are diagnosed with this form. It leads to the development of too many B-cell prolymphocytes [2]