Leukemic pleural effusion in B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

The occurrence of leukemic pleural effusion is a rare complication in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and has not been reported in B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL). We report a case of pleural effusion revealing a B-PLL. The diagnosis was made on the cytological and immunological characteristics of cells in the blood and pleural effusion. This patient was treated with fludarabine and was in complete remission after three courses. This observation may have clinical implications for the use of new adenoside nucleotide analogues in symptomatic B-PLL.