Leukapheresis in leukemia.

Leukapheresis by continuous flow centrifugation was employed in the management of both acute and chronic leukemia. Cytareduction is an effective method of preventing leukostasis in acute leukemia and reducing leukocytosis in chronic leukemia. A report of 55 leukapheresis experiences with 32 patients is described. A case report of a 49-year-old female with a 13-year history of hairy cell leukemia who underwent intensive leukapheresis over seven months is given. Therapeutic cell depletions do not effect the eventual outcome of the disease but they do have a therapeutic role in the management of leukemia as a adjunct to other treatments.