title: [Richter syndrome: clinical characteristics and treatment experiences].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the clinical characteristics of Richter syndrome and explore the methods of successful treatment and timely diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients with Richter syndrome in the last three years (from January 2009 to December 2011) were analyzed retrospectively at our hospital, including their clinical features and therapy before and after transformation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4 males and 1 female with a median age on a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at 47 (44 - 68) years. The median duration from a diagnosis of CLL to transformation was 52 (5 - 90) months. As for cytogenetic abnormalities, 3/4 patients had 17p deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The clinical manifestations on transformation included regional enlargement of lymph node (n = 2) and systemic enlargement of lymph nodes (n = 3). All diagnoses were confirmed by lymph node biopsy and all transformed into diffuse large B cell lymphoma (classical transformation). The subgroups were germinal center B-cell like (GCB) (n = 3) and non-GCB (n = 1). After transformation, one patient underwent sibling allo-stem cell transplantation and survived 24 months until April 2012. Another patient with auto-stem cell transplantation relapsed and died 12 months later. One patient lost the treatment opportunity due to worsening condition. Another 2 patients gained partial remission after therapy and survived 20 and 8 months respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Richter syndrome may occur during a late stage of CLL. Such a high-risk cytogenetic abnormality as del17p may be correlated with transformation. Early identification and optimal therapy may extend the survival of Richter syndrome. Allo-stem cell transplantation remains a curable option.
authors: Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
authors: Zeng-jun
authors: ZJ
authors: Li
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Xu
authors: Pei-hong
authors: PH
authors: Zhang
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Liu
authors: Shu-hua
authors: SH
authors: Yi
authors: De-hui
authors: DH
authors: Zou
authors: Jun-yuan
authors: JY
authors: Qi
authors: Yao-zhong
authors: YZ
authors: Zhao
authors: Lu-gui
authors: LG
authors: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome