Adult T cell leukaemia lymphoma in a non-aboriginal Australian woman with no apparent risk factors

Abstract

Objective: To present a case of adult T cell leukaemia lymphoma (ATLL) in a non-Aboriginal Australian woman with no apparent risk factor.

Clinical features: A 43-year-old Australian woman of European descent presented with a febrile illness associated with generalised lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.

Investigations: There was lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood with a T helper cell phenotype. There were also lytic bone lesions with associated hypercalcaemia. HTLV-1 antibody was detected by agglutination assay and confirmed by western blot test.

Treatment and outcome: After initial response to CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone), she relapsed and died with central nervous system involvement eight months after the initial diagnosis.

Conclusion: To our knowledge this is only the third case of ATLL in a non-Aboriginal person in Australia.