Related Experiment Videos
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with initial deafness
Y Harada1, T Shirota, T Hayashi
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Japan.
International Journal of Hematology
|March 24, 2000
Summary
This study reports a rare case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma presenting with hearing loss and facial palsy. The human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was identified as a key factor in this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Neurology
Background:
- Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a mature T-cell malignancy associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1).
- ATLL typically presents with diverse clinical manifestations, often involving skin, lymph nodes, and visceral organs.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old Japanese man initially presented with bilateral deafness and right facial palsy.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed lymphoid cells with convoluted nuclei and monoclonal T lymphocytes.
- Biopsies of the stomach and prostate showed infiltration by large lymphoid cells.
Findings:
- The patient tested positive for human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1).
- The diagnosis was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse type, later confirmed by monoclonal HTLV-1 provirus detection.
- Autopsy revealed widespread lymphadenopathy and infiltration of atypical lymphocytes into multiple organs.
Implications:
- This case highlights auditory nerve abnormalities as a potential initial symptom of ATLL.
- Early recognition of neurological symptoms in HTLV-1-infected individuals is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- This report underscores the diverse and sometimes unusual presentations of HTLV-1-associated malignancies.