[Adult T-cell lymphoma and Reed-Sternberg cells. A clinical case]

Adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL) is a neoplastic disease associated in 80% of cases with HTLV-I (Human T Lymphotropic virus type I) infection. 1-2% of HTLV-I carriers may develop the disease during their lives. In our country, the prevalence of HTLV-I infection is about 1%. We report a 72 y.o. woman HTLV-I positive, confirmed by Western-Blot. presenting with massive adenopathies, cutaneous tumor involvement, acute course and showing Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs) in lymph node biopsy. The response to chemotherapy was poor, with the patient dying seven months after diagnosis. ATL and Hodgkin's disease (HD) are discussed highlighting that RSCs are not pathognomonic of HD though in their absence such diagnosis can not be made. RSCs are found in other benign and malignant disorders and it is especially important to differentiate HD from the other processes in order to dispense the appropriate treatment. This is the first case of ATL with RSCs reported in Chile. Hence, in our country we suggest systematic determination of the presence of HTLV infection when histopathology is compatible with HD and Non Hodgkin Lymphoma.

[Mixed myelocytic and lymphocytic acute leukemia. Case report]

A patient with acute mixed myelocytic and lymphocytic leukemia is reported. The patient showed two populations of malignant myeloid and lymphoid cells with predominance of myeloid lineage. According to the present knowledge, it is hypothesized that its origin is at a pluripotent transformed stem cell which has the capability of differentiating through myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Its maturation is arrested at certain level, thus raising two monoclonal populations simultaneously in the same patient. The treatment should be combined with drugs used in acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia. The response to chemotherapy is generally poor.