1989 Volume 30 Issue 7 Pages 1063-1066
We report a rare case of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in which cardiac invasion was clinically demonstrated and treated effectively.
A 45-year-old female was admitted because of exertional dyspnea and cervical tumors. The leukocyte count was 19,100/μl with 20% of flower cells. HTLV-I antibody was positive. She was diagnosed as ATLL and treated with VEPA.
She got remission for a short duration which was followed by relapse.
OPEC was started as salvage therapy. In the course, extensive pericardial effusion was found in chest X-P. Pericardial puncture demonstrated ATLL cells and high titer of free IL-2 receptor (57,400U/ml) in the effusion. It was diagnosed as pericardial invasion of ATLL cells.
Chemotherapy was started with new combination of drugs (cisplatin, mitoxanthrone, ifosfamide, and prednisolone). Concomitanly pericardial drainage was performed and the drugs were administered directly into the pericardial cavity. The clinical improvement was obtained and pericardial effusion did not appear thereafter.
She died 4 months after the diagnosis of cardiac invasion. On autopsy myocardial invasion was identified. The pericardium widely adhered and effusion measured 42 ml.
