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Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
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Acute renal failure as the presenting feature of leukaemic infiltration in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Saman Hewamana1,2, Chris Pepper3, Chris Jenkins4

  • 1Department of Haematology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. hewamanas@cf.ac.uk.

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
|March 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Acute renal failure can be the first sign of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Direct kidney infiltration by leukemia caused this, responding to chemotherapy, highlighting the importance of considering kidney involvement in CLL patients with renal impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Hematology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell neoplasm affecting lymphoid organs and bone marrow.
  • Kidney involvement in CLL is common but typically asymptomatic.
  • Renal impairment in CLL patients is usually attributed to other causes.

Observation:

  • This report details a patient presenting with acute renal failure as the initial symptom of CLL.
  • The renal failure was diagnosed as direct leukemic infiltration of the kidney.

Findings:

  • Chemotherapy with chlorambucil and prednisolone stabilized renal function for about a year.
  • The patient eventually required long-term hemodialysis.

Implications:

  • Leukemic infiltration of the kidney should be considered in CLL patients with renal impairment, irrespective of clinical stage.
  • Prompt chemotherapy can lead to favorable responses in renal failure caused by leukemic infiltration.

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