Atypical T-cell leukemia terminating Hodgkin's disease

Abstract

A case of Hodgkin's disease is described which developed into a terminal illness characterized by a malignant proliferation of T-cells. The leukemic cells, after optical and ultrastructural analysis, were distinct from those of myelomonocytic, acute lymphoblastic, chronic lymphocytic as well as pro-lymphocytic leukemia. Their relationship with the T-cell lineage seemed to be confirmed by a highly positive E-rosette test and by cytochemistry which showed focal positivity of acid phosphatase. The importance of this T-cell malignant proliferation is discussed, especially with regard to cellular interactions in Hodgkin's disease.