Mr Soze is a 58 year old gentleman who was found to have a lymphocytosis following a Well Man clinic. He gives a six week history of tiredness and a few, small lymph nodes palpable in his neck which he has noticed in the mirror. He is still able to work full time and does not report any other symptoms. He has a past medical history of hypertension, which is well controlled on monotherapy.
His lymphocyte count is 12 x10e9/l and a blood film has been reported to show a monomorphic population of small, mature lymphoid cells with condensed nuclear chromatin. His other blood counts are normal.
No further action is taken until 18 months later when the GP refers him to the haematology clinic. In the last three months he has lost one stone in weight and has had to reduce his hours at work. He tires easily and is waking at night with sweats 2-3 times per week. His full blood count is as follows: Hb 102 g/l, Platelets 95 x10e9/l, WBC 35 x10e9/l, Lymphocyte count 30 x10e9/l. A CT scan shows widespread bulky cervical, axillary and pelvic lymphadenopathy, with a 20cm spleen.
Peripheral blood immunophenotyping finds the lymphoid cells to be CD19+, CD23+, CD5+, CD200+, CD10-, FMC7-, CD79b-.
- A. Discuss your management of this patient, with particular attention to: any further work-up of the disease, the treatment you would offer and your rationale for it, including any important considerations for supportive care.
- B. Two years later, the patient relapses. Discuss the treatment options in this setting and your preferred choice.
