Malignant lymphoma in systemic rheumatic diseases. A report of five cases
Houssiau, F.A.; Kirkove, C.; Asherson, R.A.; Hughes, G.R.; Timothy, A.R.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 9(5): 515-518
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 1954702 Document Number: 372627
We describe five patients suffering from systemic rheumatic diseases who developed a malignant lymphoma. Two patients, one with systemic lupus erythematosus and another with systemic necrotizing vasculitis, suffered from Hodgkin's disease and three other patients, one with lupus and two with Sjögren's syndrome, developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Only one of these patients had been treated with immunosuppressive drugs before the onset of the lymphoproliferative malignancy. Four patients were given combination chemotherapy and complete remission was achieved in the three patients for whom follow-up data were available. We discuss the relationships between systemic rheumatic diseases and lymphoma.