Coexistent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Three patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) are reported who had concurrent B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL). The separate lineage and clonal nature of the individual lymphoid malignancies were confirmed by gene-rearrangement analysis. The chronology of the illnesses did not support the hypothesis that CTCL predisposes to the development of B-cell proliferative disorders. There was no clear association with immunosuppressive therapy, and HTLV-1 studies were negative in all patients. Consequently, we speculate that a lymphoid stem cell defect, which may lead to the development of either aberrant B- or T-cell clones, may be responsible for such cases of dual lymphoid neoplasia.