Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 422-427 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Cancer |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1978 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research