Aggressive NK-cell leukemia: Difference between revisions
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=== Laboratory Findings === | === Laboratory Findings === | ||
*Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of aggressive NK-cell leukemia | *Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of aggressive NK-cell leukemia include:<ref name="wiki">Aggressive NK-cell leukemia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggressive_NK-cell_leukemia Accessed on May 5, 2016</ref> | ||
'''Peripheral Blood Smear''' | '''Peripheral Blood Smear''' | ||
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===Imaging Findings=== | ===Imaging Findings=== | ||
There are no imaging findings associated with aggressive NK-cell leukemia. | |||
=== Other Diagnostic Studies === | === Other Diagnostic Studies === | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 18 October 2019
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [3]
Synonyms and keywords: ANKL
Overview
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia is a disease with an aggressive, systemic proliferation of natural killer cells (NK cells) and a rapidly declining clinical course. There is no classification system for aggressive NK-cell leukemia. The pathogenesis of aggressive NK-cell leukemia is characterized by the proliferation of natural killer cells. Aggressive NK-cell leukemia is very uncommon, and is most commonly seen among middle aged adults. The most common risk factors in the development of aggressive NK-cell leukemia is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The majority of patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia are symptomatic at diagnosis. Early clinical features include fatigue, night sweats, and fever. Physical examination among patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia may be remarkable for hepatosplenomegaly. Aggressive NK-cell leukemia may also be diagnosed using bone marrow biopsy, findings of which can include extensive marrow replacement by leukemic cells and reactive histiocytes displaying hemophagocytosis. The mainstay of therapy for aggressive NK-cell leukemia is anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.
Classification
There is no classification system for aggressive NK-cell leukemia.[1]
Pathophysiology
- The pathogenesis of aggressive NK-cell leukemia is characterized by the aggressive, systemic proliferation of natural killer cells.
- The mutation in oncogene p53 has been associated with the development of aggressive NK-cell leukemia.
- On gross pathology, characteristic findings of aggressive NK-cell leukemia include:
- No remarkable findings
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, characteristic findings of aggressive NK-cell leukemia include:[1]
- The table below demonstrates the immunophenotype for patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia.[1]
Causes
There are no established causes for aggressive NK-cell leukemia.
Differentiating Aggressive NK-cell Leukemia from Other Diseases
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia must be differentiated from other diseases that cause fever, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy such as:
Epidemiology and Demographics
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia is very uncommon.[2]
Age
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia is more commonly observed among middle aged adults.
Gender
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia affects men and women equally.
Race
Aggressive NK-cell leukemia usually affects individuals of the Asian race.
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of aggressive NK-cell leukemia include:
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia are symptomatic at diagnosis.[2]
- Early clinical features include fatigue, night sweats, and fever.
- If left untreated, patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia may progress to develop recurrent infections.
- Common complications of aggressive NK-cell leukemia, include:
- Prognosis is generally poor, and the median survival rate of patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia is approximately 12 months.[2]
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Aggressive NK-cell leukemia is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of aggressive NK-cell leukemia may include the following:[1]
- Fever
- Swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck
- Night sweats
- Persistent fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Paleness
- Bleeding from the gums
- Enlarged liver or spleen
Physical Examination
- Patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia usually appear pale and malnourished.
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:[2]
- Hepatoesplenomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
Laboratory Findings
- Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of aggressive NK-cell leukemia include:[2]
Peripheral Blood Smear
- Large granular lymphocyte (LGL)
- Fine or coarse azurophilic granules and nucleoli of varying prominence
- Nuclei may be irregular and hyperchromatic
Imaging Findings
There are no imaging findings associated with aggressive NK-cell leukemia.
Other Diagnostic Studies
- Aggressive NK-cell leukemia may also be diagnosed using bone marrow biopsy.
- Findings on bone marrow biopsy, include:[2]
- Extensive marrow replacement by leukemic cells
- Reactive histiocytes displaying hemophagocytosis
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- The mainstay of therapy for aggressive NK-cell leukemia is anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.[2]
- L-asparaginase containing chemotherapy regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation shows to slightly prolong life, but relapse is almost assured.[3]
- Other novel treatments may include pralatrexate.[2]
Surgery
- Surgery is not recommended among patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia.
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for aggressive NK-cell leukemia.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 [1] Chan JK. "Natural killer cell neoplasms." Anat Pathol. 1998;3:77-145. PMID 10389582
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Aggressive NK-cell leukemia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggressive_NK-cell_leukemia Accessed on May 5, 2016
- ↑ Ishida, F; Ko, YH (2012 June). "Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia: therapeutic potential of L-asparaginase and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation". Cancer Sci. 103(6): 1079–83. PMID 22360679. Check date values in:
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