Adult T-cell leukaemia with various abnormalities in endocrine and metabolic systems

Adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) is a unique type of T-cell malignancy closely associated with human T-cell leukaemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). Despite frequent descriptions of hypercalcaemia, cases accompanied by diabetes insipidus or syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) in ATL patients have rarely been reported. We present an unusual case of ATL with various abnormalities in his endocrine and metabolic systems involving anterior pituitary function, thyroid function, lipid metabolism and Ca metabolism. Some of these abnormalities were considered to arise from infiltration or leukaemic cells into systemic organs after elimination of the above symptoms. Clinical and haematological data showing improvement following chemotherapy are also presented.