title: Immunophenotypic characterization of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review clinical data, cytogenetic findings, and flow cytometric analysis in 20 patients with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), a rare, aggressive, mature T-cell leukemia with poor prognosis and short survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using multiparameter flow cytometry with a large combination of antibodies, we summarize the immunophenotypic features of T-PLL, including unusual immunophenotypic variants, and illustrate immunophenotypic clues that may help distinguish this entity from other T-cell malignancies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By flow cytometry, T-PLL is characterized by a postthymic mature T-cell immunophenotype with a variety of abnormalities that usually allow distinction from other mature T-cell leukemias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although definitive diagnosis of T-PLL requires a systemic approach with integration of clinical data, morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics/fluorescence in situ hybridization, and molecular features, our results indicate immunophenotyping by multiparameter flow cytometry greatly facilitates diagnosis and assists with subclassification of this mature T-cell leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195; xchen1@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Xueyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sindhu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cherian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D015461:Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Flow cytometry; Immunophenotyping; T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia