| prolymphocytic leukaemia | <haematology> A variant of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in which the malignant cells have a more immature appearance. The disease requires chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and sometimes removal of the spleen (splenectomy). Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (13 Nov 1997) |
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| leukemia | <haematology> An acute or chronic disease of unknown cause in man and other warm blooded animals that involves the blood forming organs, is characterised by an abnormal increase in the number of leucocytes in the tissues of the body with or without a corresponding increase of those in the circulating blood and is classified according of the type leucocyte most prominently involved. (18 Nov 1997) |