I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is indeed a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. Here are some key points to help you understand it better:

- What is PCL
- PCL develops from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infections.
- When Show Full Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is indeed a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. Here are some key points to help you understand it better:

- What is PCL?
- PCL develops from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infections.
- When these plasma cells become cancerous, they can develop into PCL.

- Types of PCL:
- Primary PCL: Occurs in people who have never had any other type of blood cancer.
- Secondary PCL: Develops in people who have multiple myeloma (MM). About 1% to 4% of individuals with MM develop secondary PCL.

- Characteristics:
- PCL is more aggressive than multiple myeloma.
- It is slightly more common in men and may occur more often in Black people than in white people.

- Prognosis:
- The prognosis can vary. People who receive a stem cell transplant may live for an average of two to three years.
- Those with primary PCL generally have a better outcome compared to those with secondary PCL.

- Factors Affecting Prognosis:
- Older age (at least 60 years old)
- Low platelet count (less than 100 billion/L)
- High number of plasma cells in the blood (at least 20 billion/L)
- Certain genetic changes, such as hypodiploidy and deletions in chromosome 17 (del(17p))

- Treatment:
- Immediate treatment is crucial due to the aggressive nature of PCL.

If you have more specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask.

 This AI-generated response comes from MyLeukemiaTeam and other selected sources. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Plasma Cell Leukemia: An Overview | MyLeukemiaTeam