title: Acute tumor lysis syndrome in prolymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: Prolymphocytic leukemia is characterized by a low response rate to agents that are effective in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A 75-year-old man with prolymphocytic leukemia was followed up over a period of 69 months. During that time, he was treated with high-dose chlorambucil plus prednisone; cyclophosphamide administered daily; combinations of vincristine sulfate, prednisone, and cyclophosphamide; irradiation to the spleen; and alpha-interferon without substantial antitumor effect. The patient had a brief response after splenectomy. When he received low-dose vincristine therapy daily with high-dose prednisone therapy given on alternate days, a fatal tumor lysis syndrome occurred. Although rare, this complication should be kept in mind, particularly in patients who had rapid reduction of tumor cells.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013577:Syndrome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D011241:Prednisone