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hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL)
Etiology:
- most cases in patients treated with TNF blockers, azathioprine, &/or mercaptopurine
- cases reported in patients receiving azathioprine or mercaptopurine alone
Epidemiology:
- majority of cases in patients being treated for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- two cases in patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis
- case in a patient being treated for psoriasis
Pathology:
- aggressive (fast-growing) cancer
- usually fatal
Clinical manifestations:
- splenomegaly
- hepatomegaly
- abdominal pain
- persistent fever
- night sweats
- weight loss
General
T-cell lymphoid neoplasm (T-cell leukemia, T-cell lymphoma)
References
- FDA MedWatch: April 14, 2011 & Nov 4, 2011
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, Azathioprine and/or
Mercaptopurine: Update on Reports of Hepatosplenic T-Cell
Lymphoma in Adolescents and Young Adults
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm251443.htm