Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia in a 55‑Year‑Old Nigerian Woman

Abstract

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and an aggressive disease, accounting for only 2%–3% of all plasma cell dyscrasias. Diagnosis is made by the presence of more than 2 × 10⁹/L plasma cells in the peripheral blood or monoclonal plasmacytosis more than 20% of the plasma cells in the peripheral blood. PCL has limited treatment options comprising of the conventional multiple myeloma (MM) treatment drugs and a very poor prognosis. We report a case of a 55‑year‑old woman who presented with a history of high‑grade fever, generalized weakness, petechial rashes, and transfusion‑dependent anemia of about 3 months’ duration. Peripheral blood film revealed moderate leukocytosis with 30% plasma cells. Bone marrow aspirate also showed significant plasmacytosis. Immuno-phenotyping confirmed peripheral blood plasmacytosis. The patient initially responded to chemotherapy but succumbed to the disease.