Inconclusive Diagnosis of a Lymphoid Neoplasm

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This case study outlines the diagnostic schema employed at our facility to accurately identify a patient's hematological condition to facilitate optimal treatment. BACKGROUND: A 71 year old male patient presented to our hospital with complete blood count (CBC) data that was suggestive of a lymphoid malignancy due to a critically low leukocyte count coupled with a predominance of lymphocytes displaying abnormal morphology. METHOD: Immunophenotyping studies carried out on the bone marrow indicated that the patient had a B lymphocyte malignancy, although a T cell neoplasm could not be ruled out. Karyotyping on this patient revealed a complex karyotype which supported the conclusion that this patient suffered from a malignant condition. Finally, molecular diagnostics testing was employed to specifically identify the disease state. CONCLUSION: While the testing results are suggestive of a lymphoid malignancy, the patient's diagnosis remains unclearly defined.