The Role of TRAP in Hairy Cell Leukemia Diagnosis

Understanding TRAP in Hairy Cell Leukemia

Hairy Cell Leukemia is indeed TRAP positive (TRAP+). When diagnosing Hairy Cell Leukemia, pathologists will perform a staining process known as Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) staining. This test is quite characteristic for Hairy Cell Leukemia, as the malignant cells exhibit resistance to the tartaric acid used in the stain, revealing a positive result. The presence of TRAP+ cells is an important diagnostic marker and aids in differentiating Hairy Cell Leukemia from other B-cell lymphomas.

This means that it can be diagnosed by the presence of the enzyme known as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the leukemic cells. TRAP is an important marker for HCL.

To determine the TRAP status, a staining technique is used to detect the enzyme. If the leukemic cells show positive staining for TRAP, it confirms the diagnosis of HCL.

Therefore, the correct answer is a) TRAP +.