[Malignant B-cell lymphoma in a patient with primary Sjögren syndrome]

Authors report the case of a 42 years old female with primary Sjögren's syndrome in whom nine years after the beginning of her disease generalised swollen lymphatic nodes and enlargement of liver as well as a spleen has appeared. The simultaneous appearance of fever, loss of body weight and worsening of her general condition raised the possibility of an associated malignant lymphoproliferate disease. The histology of a lymph node proved the presence of a highly malignant form of B-cell lymphoma (CB NHL). Attention is drawn to the necessitate of regular control of patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Lymphadenopathy, the decrease of the immunoglobulin levels and autoantibody titer in the serum, as well as the predominance of monoclonal immunoglobulins point to the possibility of malignant transformation. With reference to the presented case a short review of the Sjögren's syndrome is given by the authors.