title: Adult T-cell leukaemia and lymphoma: report of two cases and a brief review of the literature.
abstract: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Two patients originating from the Caribbean area with ATLL are described. The first patient developed respiratory insufficiency due to acute T-cell leukaemia. The diagnosis was suspected because of characteristics of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood smear. The second patient had lymphadenopathy and developed severe hypercalcaemia. Both patients were typical cases of ATLL. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, pitfalls and treatment of this intriguing disease are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Kleiweg 500, 3045 PM Rotterdam, The Netherlands. h_van_zaanen@franciscus.nl
authors.forename: H C T
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: van Zaanen
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pegels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis