HEMATOLOGY
Etiology
• Clonal expansion of mature B-cells (CD5⁺, CD23⁺)
• Common in elderly
Pathogenesis
• Accumulation of dysfunctional lymphocytes → immunosuppression
Clinical features
• Painless lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly
• Fatigue, night sweats, weight loss
• Recurrent infections, autoimmune hemolysis
Lab findings
• Lymphocytosis with “smudge cells”
• Hypogammaglobulinemia
• Flow cytometry: CD19⁺, CD5⁺, CD23⁺
Treatment
• Observation (early stage)
• Ibrutinib, rituximab (advanced)