Adult T-cell leukemia presenting pneumonia-like initial symptoms with many leukemia cells in the sputum: report of a case
Utsunomiya, A.; Hanada, S.; Uematsu, T.; Makino, T.; Kodama, K.; Hashimoto, S.; Matsumoto, T.
Nihon Ketsueki Gakkai Zasshi Journal of Japan Haematological Society 50(6): 1225-1230
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5806 PMID: 3500565 Document Number: 291898
This is a case of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) presenting pneumonia-like initial symptoms with many leukemia cells in the sputum. Chest X-ray examination revealed diffuse infiltrative shadows containing multiple cystic cavities in the bilateral lower lung fields. A large number of lymphoid cells with lobulated or indented nuclei were noted in the sputum. The surface phenotype of lymphoid cells in the sputum showed the properties of peripheral T cells. The cytological study of sputum may be very important for differentiating pulmonary lesions in ATL patients, whose pulmonary complications vary.