Cell volumes of lymphoblasts in patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia

Cell volumes of lymphoblasts from 75 cases of acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and lymphocytes from 33 normal individuals were determined using a Coulter Counter Model H4 Channelyzer. The average mean cell volume (MCV) and the model volume (MV) of lymphoblasts were larger than the MCV and MV of normal lymphocytes (P less than 0.01). In addition, the cell volumes of lymphoblasts from patients with ALL were more heterogeneous than normal lymphocytes. When the volumes of lymphoblasts were compared to the FAB classification, lymphoblasts from cases of L3 were larger than those from L2 and the latter were larger than lymphoblasts from the L1 subtype. When the volumes of lymphoblasts were compared to an immunological classification, lymphoblasts from cases of B cell ALL were larger than those from non-B, non-T and T cell ALL. The volume of lymphoblasts, however, showed no significant predictive value in the determination of complete remission, duration of first remission, or survival.