Hairy cell leukemia (Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis). II. Ultrastructure of the spleen

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Cancer; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(197605)37:5<2267::AID-CNCR2820370517>3.0.CO;2-1· OSTI ID:7190381

Burke, J S; Mackay, B; Rappaport, H

Seven surgically removed spleens from patients with hairy cell leukemia and hypersplenism were examined ultrastructurally. In all spleens the pulp cords were diffusely and compactly infiltrated by hairy cells. Numerous hairy cells were also evident in the often distended sinuses. The hairy projections were readily visible in electron micrographs and tended to interdigitate to form syncytium-like aggregates. Compression of hairy cells within the cords flattened the projections against the cell bodies and may account for the surface alterations reported by scanning electron microscopic studies. Controversy over the cytogenesis of hairy cells has not been resolved by ultrastructural studies. Although all seven patients had hypersplenism, the hairy cells showed no evidence of phagocytic activity. However, active phagocytosis by cordal macrophages was observed and there is a probable absolute increase in their number contributing to the splenomegaly. The dense infiltrate of hairy cells causes marked widening of the cords and retards the passage of formed elements of the blood through the red pulp. Prolonged sojourn of these elements in a metabolically unfavorable environment results in cellular damage, increased exposure of cordal macrophages, and premature destruction with the evolution of a hypersplenic syndrome.

• Research Organization: Anderson Hospital and Tumor Inst., Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 7190381
• Journal Information: Cancer; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer; (United States) Vol. 37:5; ISSN CANCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550300* -- Cytology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
CYTOLOGY
DISEASES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
HEMIC DISEASES
HISTOLOGY
LEUKEMIA
MACROPHAGES
MEDICINE
MICROSCOPY
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHAGOCYTES
PHAGOCYTOSIS
SOMATIC CELLS
SPLEEN
SPLEEN CELLS
SPLENOMEGALY
SURGERY
SYMPTOMS