title: Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
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.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy