leukemialymphoma

Leukemialymphoma is a descriptive term used in hematology to describe cancers that show features of both leukemia and lymphoma. It refers to malignant lymphoid neoplasms in which cancerous cells are found in the bone marrow or peripheral blood as well as in lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen, or liver. It is not a single disease, but a spectrum in which certain entities bridge the gap between leukemia and lymphoma.

Some conditions commonly described as leukemialymphomas include chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting with lymphadenopathy (CLL/SLL), B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma with a leukemic phase, and other mature B- or T-cell lymphomas that involve blood and bone marrow.

Diagnosis requires integrated assessment: complete blood count with differential, peripheral blood smear, flow cytometry to determine immunophenotype, bone marrow biopsy, and lymph node biopsy when available; imaging may assess organ involvement; genetic and molecular studies identify characteristic translocations or mutations.

Clinical features are variable but may include fatigue, infections, easy bruising, fever, night sweats, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Treatment depends on the specific subtype and disease burden. Approaches include chemoimmunotherapy, targeted agents such as BTK inhibitors (ibrutinib) or BCL2 inhibitors (venetoclax), monoclonal antibodies, radiation therapy, and, in selected cases, stem cell transplantation. Supportive care addresses cytopenias and infections.

Prognosis ranges from indolent to aggressive, largely determined by subtype, cytogenetics, and stage at diagnosis. See also leukemia, lymphoma, CLL/SLL.