Colonic infiltration with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
BACKGROUND
A 75-year-old female presented with a 1 month history of non-bloody diarrhea, associated with abdominal cramping and urgency. Her medical history was notable for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, diagnosed 6 years previously and managed expectantly by monitoring the patient's complete blood count. Over several months, the patient's symptoms progressed, which resulted in significant weight loss. The patient's course of disease was ultimately complicated by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and death.


METHODS
Physical examination, laboratory investigations, stool studies, colonoscopy with biopsies, immunohistochemistry and pathologic review of biopsy specimens.


METHODS
Leukemic colitis.


RESULTS
Management of underlying leukemia with systemic hydroxyurea and topical colonic 5-aminosalicylic acid therapy.
LoSavio
Andelka D
AD
Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Bunnag
Alana P
AP
Rubin
David T
DT
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D015477:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D017254:Leukemic Infiltration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index