Secondary Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after Hodgkin's Lymphoma or a Coincidental Association of Two Hematological Malignancies?

ABSTRACT: Secondary acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (sALL), defined as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia following another malignancy, irrespective of previous treatment, is a rare disease, and its biological characteristics have not been accurately described. We report the case of a 24-year old patient followed for Hodgkin's lymphoma at our clinic, who develops and is diagnosed, less than a year after obtaining complete remission, as having pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia This case has been a real diagnostic and treatment challenge, as sALL following another haematological malignancy is quite rare.
CONCLUSION: It is necessary to better identify the prognostic factors of haematological malignancies in order to prevent the appearance of sALL.