Suppression of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia by megakaryocytic myelosis

In a 77-year-old Caucasian female B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was diagnosed and classified as stage 1 according to the Rai classification. The disease remained stable and therefore no antileukaemic therapy had to be initiated. Four years after the initial diagnosis the patient developed hepatosplenomegaly, anaemia and leukopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed megakaryocytic myelosis supervening upon the pre-existing chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.