A Case of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Complicated with Bilateral Chylothorax

We present the case of a 74-year-old Japanese woman who presented with dyspnea, a palpable right breast mass, and swollen right axillary lymph node. Imaging studies revealed bilateral pleural effusion and systemic lymph adenopathy and pleural fluid study showed high levels of triglycerides. A right...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Satoko Kako, Satoru Joshita, Akemi Matsuo, Kenji Kawaguchi, Takeji Umemura, Eiji Tanaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8357893
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Summary:We present the case of a 74-year-old Japanese woman who presented with dyspnea, a palpable right breast mass, and swollen right axillary lymph node. Imaging studies revealed bilateral pleural effusion and systemic lymph adenopathy and pleural fluid study showed high levels of triglycerides. A right inguinal lymph node biopsy disclosed malignant lymphoma cells that were human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) provirus DNA-positive, a condition endemic to patient’s birthplace, by the Southern blot hybridization method. She was diagnosed as having adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) with chylothorax. After commencing chemotherapy for ATL, her chylothorax disappeared and swollen lymph nodes reduced remarkably, indicating an association between the chylothorax and ATL. Bilateral chylothorax is a relatively rare condition associated with such nontraumatic causes as ATL. Clinicians should therefore bear chylothorax in mind when encountering patients with pleural effusion. A detailed medical history can also enable prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
ISSN:2090-6706
2090-6714