Plasma cell leukemia

Last revised by Yuranga Weerakkody on 12 Jan 2020

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive form of leukemia and plasma cell dyscrasia. It can be divided into primary (pPCL) and secondary (sPCL) following previously diagnosed multiple myeloma. It is also considered clinically and genetically distinct from multiple myeloma.

Plasma cell leukemia is defined by the observation in blood of more than 20% clonal plasma cells by differential count of the leukocytes or by counting more than 2 × 109 per liter circulating clonal plasma cells. 

At time of writing (2020) it is thought to have a fulminant course and poor prognosis. 

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