Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
9-22-2022
Journal
Current Oncology
DOI
10.3390/curroncol29100534
PMID
36290811
PMCID
PMC9600969
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
9-22-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative malignancy that is categorized by the production and accumulation of CD5+ monoclonal B cell lymphocytes, commonly in the spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood; these are morphologically mature lymphocytes with abnormal immune function. Ascites, although common in solid organ malignancies such as ovarian, breast, and gastrointestinal, is a rare clinical manifestation in hematological malignancies. The case presented herein describes an elderly male patient with CLL who presented with transudative ascites 7 years after the completion of chemotherapy. Microscopic analysis and flow cytometry of the patient's ascitic fluid were consistent with CLL, and he was treated with six cycles of obinutuzumab immunotherapy with the addition of acalabrutinib, resulting in near resolution of malignant ascites. A few cases have reported CLL manifesting as transudative or exudative ascites in elderly patients. A few previous cases have reported the development of ascites between 12 and 21 months after the initial treatment of CLL with chemotherapy. A unique feature of our patient is the presentation with malignant ascites nearly 7 years after the initial CLL treatment with chemotherapy. The intent of this case report is to bring awareness of ascites as a possible initial presenting symptom of CLL in patients with isolated abdominal distention with or without common clinical features of leukemia (i.e., splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and B-symptoms) and the therapeutic management thereafter. Malignant ascites may be associated with relapse or the transformation of leukemia; thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment should not be delayed.
Keywords
Humans, Male, Aged, Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell, Ascites, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, ascitic fluid with CLL, isolated ascitic fluid CLL, peritoneal fluid CLL
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Ebinama, Ugochi; Wilson, Nathaniel R; Ghosh, Anindita; et al., "Therapeutic Management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Presenting with Recurrent Massive Ascites" (2022). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 749.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/749