title: Cutaneous pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma coexisting with myelodysplastic syndrome transforming into acute myeloid leukemia: successful treatment with a fludarabine-containing regimen.
abstract: The coexistence of a primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a T-cell cutaneous non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is an extremely rare event, which has so far only been reported in a single instance in the literature. We describe herein an additional case in which the lymphoid disease was combined with an MDS at the time of its evolution into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Both diseases were successfully treated with a regimen containing fludarabine. We discuss possible pathogenetic mechanisms and suggest the use of nonalkylating drugs, such as fludarabine, for the treatment of this rare association of malignancies usually characterized by a very poor response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, University La Sapienza, Via Benevento 6, Rome, Italy. mbreccia@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breccia
authors.forename: Maria Concetta
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Petti
authors.forename: Gianna Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: D'Elia
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carmosino
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alimena
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000754:Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts / Q000150:complications*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D000075202:Contraindications; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003561:Cytarabine; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine; D008727:Methotrexate