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Multiple Choice

Which test results strongly support hairy cell leukemia in the second case?

Hairy cell leukemia has two highly characteristic tests: strong tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the BRAF V600E mutation. TRAP positivity reflects the enzymatic profile of the hairy cells, a classic histochemical clue. The BRAF V600E mutation is a molecular hallmark found in the vast majority of classic HCL cases and provides a highly specific confirmation when detected. When both tests are positive, the evidence for hairy cell leukemia is strongest because you have both the biochemical signature and the molecular driver of the disease. If TRAP were negative, or if BRAF V600E were absent, the diagnosis would be far less likely, and one would consider other conditions or hairy cell leukemia variants that may lack one of these features.

Hairy cell leukemia has two highly characteristic tests: strong tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the BRAF V600E mutation. TRAP positivity reflects the enzymatic profile of the hairy cells, a classic histochemical clue. The BRAF V600E mutation is a molecular hallmark found in the vast majority of classic HCL cases and provides a highly specific confirmation when detected. When both tests are positive, the evidence for hairy cell leukemia is strongest because you have both the biochemical signature and the molecular driver of the disease. If TRAP were negative, or if BRAF V600E were absent, the diagnosis would be far less likely, and one would consider other conditions or hairy cell leukemia variants that may lack one of these features.