Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) typically follows an indolent course, with therapy initiated only when patients meet the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) treatment criteria. Immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) mutation status is an established prognostic marker, with mutated IGHV associated with delayed time to first treatment and more favorable outcomes. However, IGHV3-21 gene usage introduces prognostic complexity, especially in the absence of subset-level immunogenetic analysis. We report the case of a man in his 50s with stable, mutated IGHV CLL who presented with hemorrhagic ascites, a rare and atypical complication. Ascitic fluid analysis demonstrated grossly bloody, lymphocyte-predominant fluid with flow cytometric evidence of clonal CLL involvement. Imaging showed no bulky lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, cirrhosis, or portal hypertensive features. Despite molecular features associated with a favorable prognosis, the severity of his presentation prompted the initiation of therapy after the exclusion of alternative etiologies. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty created by atypical symptomatic presentation of CLL and the prognostic ambiguity of IGHV3-21 CLL requiring cautious interpretation.
Sapkota et al. (Mon,) studied this question.