Lymphoma Presenting as Secondary HLH: A Review With a Tale of Two Cases

Severe Lymphoma-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a Young Woman

“…Lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) is a phenomenon that has previously been described. It is believed that LAHS has a worse prognosis than other forms of HLH, not solely due to the delay of lymphoma diagnosis and treatment [ 7 ]. However, a comparative study by Yu et al shows that B-cell lymphomas had a better prognosis than T-cell lymphoma [ 8 ].…”

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma presented as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

“…Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can develop secondary to hematologic malignancies, mainly T/NK lymphomas, being B-cell lymphomas a much rarer cause of this complication. 7 , 8 The IVLBCL associated with hemophagocytic syndrome is the so called Asian variant and portends a dismal prognosis. 5 The western variant typically presents with skin and CNS involvement and HLH is only exceptionally seen.…”

A Fatal Etiology of Splenic Infarction

“…Two of them experienced rapid deterioration and death before they could get biopsy making a case to maintain high degree of cancer suspicion in idiopathic HLH cases, treating HLH with steroids as early as possible, avoiding any delays in biopsy and even consideration of early chemotherapy, although evidence is somewhat lacking. Ghose et al 11 similarly described a case of LAHS where the patient succumbed to complications due to delay in diagnosis and treatment, making a case for early biopsy and malignancy-targeted treatment.…”