Evolution of malignant lymphoma in agnogenic myeloid metaplasia.

Two young arab patients are described in whom malignant lymphoma developed within less than 1 year of the diagnosis of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Both patients showed a satisfactory response to combined chemotherapy. One of them died of hepatitis B at 10 months and the other is alive and in clinical remission 25 months after initial diagnosis. These observations demonstrate the close relation between myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative syndromes and illustrate the diversity of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders into which agnogenic myeloid metaplasia may evolve in the course of disease. Our experience also demonstrates the ease with which some patients with an 'end stage' myeloproliferative disorder may respond to standard chemotherapy designed for the treatment of malignant lymphoma.