A Case of Natural Killer-Large Granular Lymphocyte (NK-LGL) Leukemia / 대한혈액학회지

ABSTRACT

Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia, a rare hematologic malignancy, is classified into two groups, CD3+ T-LGL leukemia and CD3- NK-LGL leukemia based upon immunophenotype of the cells. We describe a patient with NK-LGL leukemia, who showed a rapidly fatal course. A 56-year-old man was presented with a very high count of white blood cells (154,400/mm3) consisting of mostly LGLs. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometric analysis revealed that majority of the cells were positive for HLA-DR and CD56 but negative for all the myeloid and lymphoid markers. Despite of active supportive care, he died of coagulopathy and multi-organ failure on the sixth hospital day.