A case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with chronic lymphocytic leukemia / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by a gradual enlargement of the thyroid gland, extensive lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis of thyroid follicles. Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurs frequently in conjunction with a wide range of organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases. The association of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with other autoimmune diseases also has been recognized. Here, we report a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed by abrupt painful swelling of the thyroid gland in a 69-year-old woman with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The painful enlargement of goiter and elevated levels of antibodies to thyroglobulin were improved after chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vicristine and prednisolone.