Sickle cell anemia and hematological neoplasias

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a congenital hemolytic anemia with various clinical findings. In some cases hematological neoplasias and some solid tumors may accompany this disease but these have rarely been reported. Here we report five cases with SCD and accompanying hematological neoplasias including lymphoblastic lymphoma, multiple myeloma and hairy cell leukemia in four cases with sickle cell trait and one case of Hodgkin' disease in sickle cell anemia. All of the cases except one had no previously diagnosed congenital hemolytic anemia and/or family history. Peripheral blood findings suggestive for an underlying hemolytic anemia were the first step and the most important initial lead in the detection of SCD. Severe musculoskeletal signs during the first presentation was seen in the lymphoma case, residual renal dysfunction after remission of multiple myeloma, and areas of infarction in the spleen in CT scans in the patient with sickle cell anemia were the most interesting findings in these cases. A standard therapeutic approach without any additional toxicity was relevant in all cases. Detailed clinical presentation and outcome of these five cases are documented here and the literature has been reviewed.