T-zone lymphoma in association with systemic lupus erythematosus

Two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and T-zone lymphoma are described. On admission, both showed arthralgia, generalized lymphadenopathy, hypergammaglobulinemia and positive antinuclear antibody. Lymph node biopsies revealed diffuse infiltration of atypical T-lymphocytes in the expanded interfollicular area (T-zone), a finding characteristic for the T-zone lymphoma. Renal biopsy showed lupus nephritis and neoplastic lymphoid cell infiltration in the glomeruli of one patient, but only diffuse infiltration of neoplastic lymphoid cells and mature plasma cells were observed in the interstitium of the other patient. Both patients responded remarkably well to prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day).