ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA MANIFESTING IN AN ADULT AS A CONJUNCTIVAL MASS

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical manifestation and course of dissemin ated acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an adult. METHODS: Case report. R ecurrence of disseminated disease was heralded by ''salmon patch'' inv olvement of the conjunctiva. The ocular tumor was treated successfully with external beam radiotherapy. RESULTS: The patient, who had a hist ory of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, had recurrent disease invo lving the left eye conjunctiva. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopa thologic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although acute lymphoblastic leukemia typically occurs in children, the tumor can masquerade as a conjunctiv al lymphoma in adults.