Plasma cell leukemia: A rare case

Abstract

Plasma cell leukaemia is an extremely rare haematological malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is defined by the presence in the circulating blood of a number of plasma cells greater than 2 giga/L or greater than 20% of the leukocytes. It presents in two forms: secondary plasma cell leukaemia complicating a known multiple myeloma, and primary plasma cell leukaemia, which is leukaemic in origin. We report the observation of a 52-year-old Moroccan patient who presented with bone pain and general deterioration 3 months before hospitalisation. The haemogram revealed normocytic normochromic anaemia at 8.1 g/dL and hyperleukocytosis. The blood smear showed the presence of 38% of plasma cells. The myelogram confirmed the diagnosis of APL by showing a rich marrow with 63% dystrophic plasma cells. In this case, we emphasise the importance of careful cytological examination of the blood smear.