IMMUNOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN SPLENIC MARGINAL ZONE CELL LYMPHOMA

The clinical features of patients with splenic marginal zone cell lymp homa (SMZCL) have rarely been reported, In the present study, immunolo gical abnormalities, particularly hematological abnormalities, observe d in SMZCL were described. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombo cytopenia, and appearance of lupus anticoagulant were observed in 2 of 3 patients with SMZCL. Other abnormal data including monoclonal gammo pathy and cold agglutinin were also observed in 2 of the 3 patients, I mmunological abnormalities may be characteristic complications in pati ents with SMZCL and must be followed carefully, since they may be a re liable marker of this type of lymphoma activity. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.