Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis

Abstract

Literature on leukemic reticuloendotheliosis (LRE) is reviewed. It is a distinct disease entity which mainly affects male adults, characterized by a chronic course marked splenomegaly and a proliferation of characteristic, mononuclear cells in the spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes and peripheral blood. Cytology of the LRE cells is very characteristic, particularly because of their irregular hairy edges. Photo micrographs and scanning electron microscopic pictures are given. Splenectomy leads to a decline in hairy cells. The effect of chemotherapy, including asparaginase, is discussed.