A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a fatal disease and T-cell lymphoma is a common cause of this syndrome. The authors describe a rare case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with HPS. METHODS: Hematologic investigation, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, cytogenetic analysis and lymph node biopsy were performed. RESULTS: The patient obtained transient complete remission with rituximab and chemotherapy but relapsed soon within the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: More aggressive therapy should be given in order to obtain a better therapeutic effect for the patients of DLBCL with HPS.