[Sjögren's syndrome associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by an increased risk of development of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In this paper, the clinical, histological and molecular biological topics, with a brief account of two cases of NHL, in SS are discussed. Low grade NHL, typically monocytoid B cell lymphoma related to mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, is the topic of NHL in SS. B cell clonal expansion has been detected by DNA analysis of immunoglobulin gene in non-lymphoma patients, as well as, in NHL patients in SS. Molecular biological analysis, especially detection of fusion gene of IgH and bcl-2, t(14;18), using PCR method, can help to detect early onset of NHL in SS. A better understanding of NHL in SS is needed to develop a co-operative research of large mass study.