Rare Tumors (Mar 2017)

Hairy cell lymphoma: a potentially under-recognized entity

  • William A. Hammond,
  • Abhisek Swaika,
  • David Menke,
  • Han W. Tun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/rt.2017.6518
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1

Abstract

Read online

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a low grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that typically presents with splenomegaly, cytopenias, and diffuse bone marrow infiltration. There have been few cases in the literature of HCL presenting as lymphomas in extra-nodal locations, such as soft tissues and bones without circulating leukemic cells, splenomegaly, or iliac crest bone marrow involvement. We present an additional case presenting as a thoracic mass, and discuss potential diagnostic pitfalls and management of these rare cases.

Keywords