Secondary follicular lymphoma of the bone, transformed into large cell lymphoma, in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: an uncommon manifestation of Richter's syndrome

Eur J Haematol. 2004 Mar;72(3):217-21. doi: 10.1046/j.0902-4441.2003.00198.x.

Abstract

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are at a significantly increased risk of developing a second malignant neoplasm in the course of their disease. The occurrence of large cell lymphoma [Richter's syndrome (RS)] has been described in approximately 3-5% of CLL patients. Other types of secondary lymphoid malignancies are extremely rare. Here we describe a patient, heavily pretreated, with long history of CLL who developed a secondary follicular lymphoma, transformed into a diffuse large cell lymphoma (LCL), with isolated manifestation in the bone, a very rare manifestation of RS. CLL and LCL cells were of distinct clonal origin, as documented by DNA sequencing of the CDR3 regions. Twelve months after the completion of chemo- and local radiotherapy, the patient is still in remission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / etiology
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / etiology
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / etiology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Radiography
  • Syndrome
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibia / pathology