T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia with hemorrhagic gastrointestinal involvement and a new chromosomal abnormality

We report a case of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia in a 56-year-old woman who exhibited hemorrhaging with gastric involvement as the first manifestation. This patient’s condition was diagnosed as T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia based on the findings of lymphocytosis, abnormal immunophenotype, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and cutaneous involvement. Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed hemorrhage from a gastric lesion with histological involvement. Cytogenetic analysis revealed chromosomal abnormalities, 46,XX,der(1),add(1)(p36), that have not previously been described in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. In spite of a transient response to chemotherapy, the patient died 15 months after onset of the disease.