Rare Presentation of Richter's Transformation to Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: a Case Report.
10.3904/kjm.2016.90.2.163
- Author:
Eun Joo GOO
1
;
Min Kyoung KIM
;
Eun Jung KONG
;
Sung Ae KOH
;
Mi Jin GU
;
Ji Yoon JUNG
;
Myung Soo HYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Hematology-Oncology, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. kmink21c@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
- MeSH:
Adult;
Biopsy;
Buttocks;
Cyclophosphamide;
Doxorubicin;
Drug Therapy;
Humans;
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell;
Lymph Nodes;
Lymphoma;
Lymphoma, B-Cell*;
Muscle, Skeletal;
Myocardium;
Positron-Emission Tomography;
Prednisone;
Prognosis;
Thigh;
Vincristine;
Writing;
Rituximab
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2016;90(2):163-168
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Richter's syndrome refers to the development of aggressive lymphoma in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It occurs in about 2% to 10% of patients with CLL. The most frequent manifestation of Richter's syndrome is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Extranodal involvement is rare but can occur. The prognosis of Richter's syndrome is very poor. We herein report a case of a rare presentation of Richter's syndrome. A 42-year-old man diagnosed with CLL 2 years previously developed nodules on the bilateral thighs and buttocks. A positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan revealed high fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in multiple lymph nodes, skeletal muscles, and the myocardium. An ultrasonography-guided biopsy confirmed Richter's syndrome from CLL to DLBCL. The patient was treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy. After six cycles of chemotherapy, we performed a PET-CT scan that revealed a complete response. However, 3 months later, the syndrome recurred. The patient was undergoing salvage chemotherapy at the time of this writing.
