Development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in a case of Sjögren's syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus

Persistent lymphocytosis and intermittent fever were found in a 68-yr-old Chinese woman 5 yr after the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A series of examinations - including virology, bone marrow aspiration and surface markers of lymphocytes - was made to evaluate the nature of the lymphocytosis which had not been found previously. All of the results were consistent with the diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Development of CLL in Sjogren's syndrome has seldom been described before and mey be added to other malignancies associated with Sjogren's syndrome.