title: Hairy cell leukemia (leukemic reticuloendotheliosis) in serous effusions.
abstract: The cytology of two cases of hairy cell leukemia (leukemic reticuloendotheliosis) involving pleural and ascitic fluids is described. With the Papanicolaou stain, the cells have a "lymphoid" appearance. The presence of these cells plus knowledge of the clinical history might help the cytologist and/or hematologist in their identification. A tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) stain will confirm the true nature of such cells and establish the clinical diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia. Unlike the other members of the leukemia-malignant lymphoma group, the body cavities are rarely involved.
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000166:cytology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000135:Acid Phosphatase