PROLYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA - REPORT OF 2 CAS ES

We present the clinical and laboratory features of 2 patients with B p rolymphocytic leukemia, Both are females of the fifth and seventh deca de of life. One had the classical clinical picture of massive splenome galy and a high white cell count, with characteristic prolymphocytes, and the other was asymptomatic, with a low white cell count. The cells were positive to B cell lineage reagents with strong surface immunogl obulin (Ig) and unreactive to T cell antibodies. Analysis of Ig genes at the DNA level demonstrated that both cases had heavy-chain gene rea rrangements, confirming the B-cell origin. These are the first patient s of prolymphocytic leukemia described in Chile.