Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with low dose methotrexate.
We describe 2 patients who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during treatment with low dose methotrexate (MTX) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A review of the literature identified 16 more cases published in English. Among these 18 patients, the mean RA duration was 16 yrs and lymphoma developed after a mean of 2.8 yrs of treatment with MTX. The mean total dose of MTX was 1224 mg. Although 3 patients had spontaneous regression of lymphoma, 5 of the 18 patients died. It is not known whether there is cause-effect relationship between MTX and lymphoma among patients with RA. Special awareness of this possible complication of MTX is important.
Usman
A R
AR
Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria 61656, USA.
Yunus
M B
MB
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D008727:Methotrexate