ABSTRACT
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been rarely reported as a complication of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), especially in the adult population. We herein present a case of a young woman who presented with multiorgan failure and disseminated intravascular hemolysis and was later found to have ALCL-associated HLH. We also review the current literature on ALCL-associated HLH in adult patients, with their respective treatments and outcomes. We discuss the challenges associated with the diagnosis of lymphoma in the setting of HLH and multiorgan failure. Further, given its high mortality rates, we highlight the importance of promptly identifying and treating the underlying etiology of HLH.
ABSTRACT
The use of antiretroviral therapy has decreased the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) complications. However, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is not uncommon. KS can involve any organ, including the gastrointestinal tract. The disease usually remains asymptomatic, but hemorrhages have been reported due to the hypervascular nature of the lesions. We report a case of a newly diagnosed HIV-infected patient, who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. His bleeding had become life-threatening after an adequate endoscopic sampling of the lesions to the extent where he was transferred to the intensive care unit and required multiple units of blood product transfusion and a selective embolization by interventional radiology to achieve hemostasis.
