Comparing Efficacy of Low Dose Cytoreduction and Manual Exchange Blood Transfusion in Managing Hyperleukocytosis: A Case Report

Abstract Objectives Hyperleukocytosis is defined as white cell count greater than 100,000 cells/mm3. Symptomatic hyperleukocytosis (leukostasis) is a medical emergency and can complicate hematological malignancies. It is commoner in myeloid leukemia but can occur in extremely high-count lymphoid leukemia causing tumor lysis syndrome and death. Immediate management is hydration, cytoreduction, and leukapheresis. In a developing country without leukapheresis, how effective is manual exchange blood transfusion compared to low-dose cytoreduction? We present a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with severe hyperleukocytosis, comparing response to different treatment modalities in the absence of leukapheresis. Case Summary A 57-year-old woman with complaints of a vaginal protrusion and an incidental finding of a splenomegaly with moderate anemia. Hemogram showed a white cell count of 301,000 cells/mm3, and blood film revealed a chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She had two cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone and presented 8 months later with worsening leukocytosis of 697,000 cells/mm3, severe anemia, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and hyperkalemia. Two manual exchange blood transfusions insignificantly decreased count by 40,000 cells/mm3 with slight reduction of hyperkalemia. She had low-dose cytoreduction with weekly vincristine and prednisolone. White cell count reduced from 653,000 cells/mm3 to 467,000 cells/mm3 with normal electrolytes. She was then commenced on cyclophosphamide, mini-hydroxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone. There was a steady decline in counts with improvement in hematological parameters and overall well-being. Conclusion Due to nonavailability of leukapheresis, we attempted a manual exchange without a significant decrease in white cell count. However, with low-dose cytoreduction, there was a considerable decrease in white blood cell count and improvement of electrolyte with no tumor lysis syndrome, and it was more affordable. Therefore, in a resource-poor setting, using low-dose cytoreduction might be cheaper, safer, and more effective than exchange blood transfusion in managing hyperleukocytosis.