title: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Occurring in a Case of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
abstract: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease characterized by variable clinical presentation and a prolonged course. However, a small proportion of cases may evolve to more aggressive forms. These include acute leukemic blastic crises of both myeloid and lymphoid types, prolymphocytoid transformation, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. We describe a case of B-CLL treated with chlorambucil, in whom a picture of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of pre-B type developed. The diagnosis of both forms of leukemia is well documented on the basis of morphological, cytochemical and immunological findings. Documentation and investigation of cases of ALL occurring in CLL is of importance to determine whether the transformation represents a clonal evolution of the original CLL or an independent second malignancy in an immunocomprimised patient.
authors.affiliation: a aSection of Hematology.
authors.forename: İ C
authors.initials: İC
authors.lastname: Haznedaroğlu
authors.affiliation: b b Department of Internal Medicine , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Savaş
authors.affiliation: b b Department of Internal Medicine , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benekli
authors.affiliation: a aSection of Hematology.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sayinalp
authors.affiliation: a aSection of Hematology.
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Özcebe
authors.affiliation: a aSection of Hematology.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dündar
keywords: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; acute lymphocytic leukemia; clonal evolution