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Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Armitage James O.,
Dick Fred R.,
Corder Michael P.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197802)41:2<422::aid-cncr2820410207>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , malignancy , lymphoma , histiocyte , lymph , incidence (geometry) , leukemia , hematologic malignancy , spleen , pathology , gastroenterology , optics , physics
Nine patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who also developed diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (DH) are described. The incidence of patients with CLL developing DH was at least 3.3%. CLL existed for a median of 2 years before the diagnosis of DH. DH presented in 8 patients with abdominal symptoms and/or enlarging lymph nodes, spleen and liver. There were no consistent laboratory abnormalities associated with the onset of DH. In 4 of the patients the DH appeared to be localized. Eight of the 9 patients have died with a median survival of 2 months from the diagnosis of DH. Whether DH occurs as a result of „blastic transformation” of pre‐existing CLL or is a second, unrelated malignancy is not certain. It is hypothesized that utilizing current therapies for DH might favorably influence survival.