Atypical T-cell leukemia terminating Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

A case of Hodgkin's disease is described which developed into a terminal illness characterized by a malignant proliferation of T-cells. The leukemic cells, after optical and ultrastructural analysis, were distinct from those of myelomonocytic, acute lymphoblastic, chronic lymphocytic as well as prolymphocytic leukemia. Their relationship with the T-cell lineage seemed to be confirmed by a highly positive E-rosette test and by cytochemistry which showed focal positivity of acid phosphatase. The importance of this T-cell malignant proliferation is discussed, especially with regard to cellular interactions in Hodgkin's disease.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Occurring 6 Years After Treatment of Hodgkin's Disease

“…Although 11 cases have been described, none of these were documented by immunological phenotyping. Two cases of rapidly fatal T-ALL and one case of B-AIL associated with Hodgkin's disease were described (Dick et RI, 1978: Boucheix et a/, 1979Arkin et a/, 1981). Our patient is the first reported case of common ALL occurring after chemotherapy alone for Hodgkin's disease.…”