title: Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia complicated by severe cytophagocytosis of formed blood elements by nonmalignant histiocytes: cause of significant clinical morbidity.
abstract: A 52-year-old female presented with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and a morphologically benign-appearing histiocytosis with intramedullary cytophagocytosis of formed blood elements. No cause of the reactive histiocytosis could be found. Despite initial successful therapy of the acute nonlymphocytic leukemia with induction of a cytological remission, pancytopenia with marked cytophagocytosis persisted. Therapy aimed at reducing the degree of cytophagocytosis by the histiocytes, in the form of vinblastine-treated platelets and, subsequently, prednisone, was instituted. There was no significant clinical response to either therapeutic maneuver. Cytophagocytosis persisted until leukemic relapse and death ensued.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001773:Blood Cells; D002904:Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010587:Phagocytosis; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014747:Vinblastine