Case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with rapid progression of pulmonary areas of ground-glass attenuation and multiple nodules

Respir Investig. 2013 Mar;51(1):40-5. doi: 10.1016/j.resinv.2012.10.003. Epub 2013 Jan 4.

Abstract

We report a case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) with rapidly progressive pulmonary areas of ground-glass attenuation (GGA) and nodules resulting from acute transformation of chronic ATL. A 48-year-old Japanese man was admitted for progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed rapidly progressive bilateral pulmonary areas of GGA and nodules. Flow cytometry of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and immunohistochemical examination of lung biopsy specimens revealed invasion of ATL cells. Systemic chemotherapy improved the pulmonary findings. Rapidly expanding areas of GGA and nodules are a rare manifestation of pulmonary invasion of ATL that clinicians should nevertheless keep in mind.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Reaction
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Disease Progression
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / complications
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / diagnosis
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / pathology*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / therapy*
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • VEP-THP protocol