RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Development of Malignant Mesothelioma During Treatment for Prolymphocytic Leukemia: Is Asbestos or Simian Virus 40 a Link?
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 429
OP 433
VO 25
IS 1B
A1 TAWEE TANVETYANON
A1 AMIRA G. ELMISHAD
A1 MICHELE CARBONE
YR 2005
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/25/1B/429.abstract
AB A patient with a history of heavy asbestos exposure presented with B-prolymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma (B-PLL). Soon after, he developed rapidly progressing malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. The concurrent development of both relatively uncommon diseases raised the possibility that a common causative factor might exist. Since asbestos, simian virus 40 (SV40), or both have been associated with lymphoproliferative disease and mesothelioma, we investigated both possible links in our patient. Imaging studies provided evidence for asbestos exposure because bilateral pleural plaques were identified. Tissues from bone marrow (involved with B-PLL) and from a peritoneal nodule (involved with mesothelioma) were examined for SV40 DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR): no SV40 DNA was detected. We conclude that asbestos remains the sole possible connection to both malignancies in this patient. It seems possible that fludarabine, an immunosuppressive chemotherapy, accelerated the occurrence and progression of malignant mesothelioma during the therapy for his B-PLL. Copyright© 2005 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved