Type B lactic acidosis as a severe metabolic complication in lymphoma and leukemia: a case series from a single institution and literature review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2007 Jul;86(4):225-232. doi: 10.1097/MD.0b013e318125759a.

Abstract

Type B lactic acidosis is a rare complication of hematologic malignancies. The exact mechanism of this process is not well understood. Because caregivers may not be aware of the association of type B lactic acidosis with hematologic malignancies, it may go unrecognized as a cause of acidosis in these patients. We report the cases of 7 patients with type B lactic acidosis who were cared for by members of the Brown Medical School Hematology/Oncology Division. Of the 7 patients reported, 5 had lymphomas and 2 had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. One of the lymphomas was a T-cell lymphoma. Of the patients we were able to evaluate, there did not seem to be a unique cluster of differentiation marker in association with type B lactic acidosis. We also review 14 additional cases, most reported since 2001. From our review of the literature, we suggest that a deficiency of thiamine or riboflavin may play a more pivotal role than previously recognized in the development of type B lactic acidosis associated with malignancy. Further investigation should be undertaken to learn if thiamine or riboflavin replacement might be useful in treating this disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis, Lactic / etiology*
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies