Immunoblastic sarcoma in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-like disorders

Five patients, predominantly older men, had abnormal immune states for prolonged periods of time with manifestations of multisystem involvement, including features of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome. In the course of their disease, all had malignant lymphoma (immunoblastic sarcoma) develop. The development of lymphoma was associated with generalized lymphadenopathy in four cases.