T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis

Adult T-cell leukemia Microchapters
Home
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Adult T-cell leukemia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic study of choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-Ray Findings
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI Findings
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Interventions
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis
T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Adult T-cell leukemia
Risk calculators and risk factors for T-cell leukemia natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2]

Natural History

• The natural history of adult T-cell leukemia varies between the different subtypes of the disease.
• Usually patients with acute adult T-cell leukemia have an aggressive clinical course with a median survival period of less than 12 months. If left untreated, most of the patients with acute adult T-cell leukemia will develop systemic symptoms, lymphadenopathy, and organomegaly within a few weeks of diagnosis.
• Usually patients with chronic adult T-cell leukemia will have an stable clinical course. If left untreated, most of the patients with chronic adult T-cell leukemia will develop lymphocytosis for months, or even years, before presenting with the typical skin manifestations.
• Most patients with smouldering adult T cell leukemia are initially asymptomatic. If left untreated, most of the patients with smouldering adult T cell leukemia will develop steroid-responsive skin rash and multiple lung infiltrates.

Complications

• Common complications of adult T-cell leukemia include:

• Cardiac arrhythmias (due to hypercalcaemia)
• Opportunistic infections (due to defective immune system)
• Bone fractures (due to lytic bone lesions)

Prognosis

• The prognosis varies between the subtypes of adult T-cell leukemia; acute and lymphomatous subtypes have a poor prognosis, where as chronic and smouldering subtypes have a good prognosis.

• The 4-year overall survival rate of patients with acute adult T-cell leukemia is approximately 11%.
• The 4-year overall survival rate of patients with adult T-cell lumphoma is approximately 16%.
• The 4-year overall survival rate of patients with chronic adult T-cell leukemia is approximately 36%.
• The 4-year overall survival rate of patients with smouldering adult T-cell leukemia is approximately 52%.