A Case of Hodgkin Transformation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Richter's transformation is a serious complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We present a patient with Hodgkin transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of weakness and fatigue. She had palpable axillary and cervical lymphadenomegaly. Positron emission tomography/ computed tomography scans with fluorodeoxyglucose revealed multiple cervical axillary lymph nodes in the right axilla and the right side of the neck with minimally increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and paraaortic, pancreaticoduodenal, aortocaval lymph nodes with intense fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (SUV max : 10.86). Excisional biopsy of the intraabdominal lymph node was performed which revealed classical Hodgkin disease. Combined chemotherapy was started. She died because of pneumonia after two cycles of the therapy.