Hodgkin's lymphoma as a rare variant of Richter's transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report and review of the literature

Janjetovic,Snjezana; Bernd,Heinz‑Wolfram; Bokemeyer,Carsten; Fiedler,Walter

doi:10.3892/mco.2016.727

Hodgkin's lymphoma as a rare variant of Richter's transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report and review of the literature

Authors:
- Snjezana Janjetovic
- Heinz‑Wolfram Bernd
- Carsten Bokemeyer
- Walter Fiedler
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Affiliations: Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section of Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg‑Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany, Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig‑Holstein, 23562 Campus Lübeck, Germany
Published online on: January 8, 2016 https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2016.727
Pages: 390-392
Copyright: © Janjetovic et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Richter's transformation induces an aggressive clinical course in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In the majority of cases, Richter's transformation manifests itself as a high‑grade B‑cell non‑Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‑NHL). However, other histological types, such as classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), lymphoblastic lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia and high‑grade T‑cell NHL have been described previously. The present study reports a rare case of CLL with transformation into classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL). The common clonal origin of CLL and cHL was documented by immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis performed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Following a review of the literature, treatment of secondary Hodgkin's lymphoma is discussed, and prognosis is often poor.

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