Chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

We report the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a 48-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus of 5 years' duration. Although the association of autoimmunity and lymphoreticular malignancy is well known, this particular association has only rarely been reported. Possible mechanisms of pathogenesis are discussed.