BACKGROUND: Elevation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is rarely detected in patients with underlying malignancy. There has been only one report of such a finding in a patient with a T cell lymphoma and none to our knowledge in association with a B-cell lymphoma. OBJECTIVE: To report a patient with elevation of IgE associated with a B-cell lineage lymphoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case report and review of literature. RESULTS: A 73-year-old woman was found to have elevated IgE (11,766 IU/mL) in a routine evaluation for rhinitis. No underlying allergic diathesis or disease associated with IgE elevation was noted. Because of an abnormal lymphocyte profile, an extensive malignancy evaluation was performed which revealed a B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: B-cell lineage lymphoma can be associated with elevated of IgE and should be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with this finding.
BACKGROUND: Elevation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is rarely detected in patients with underlying malignancy. There has been only one report of such a finding in a patient with a T cell lymphoma and none to our knowledge in association with a B-cell lymphoma. OBJECTIVE: To report a patient with elevation of IgE associated with a B-cell lineage lymphoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case report and review of literature. RESULTS: A 73-year-old woman was found to have elevated IgE (11,766 IU/mL) in a routine evaluation for rhinitis. No underlying allergic diathesis or disease associated with IgE elevation was noted. Because of an abnormal lymphocyte profile, an extensive malignancy evaluation was performed which revealed a B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: B-cell lineage lymphoma can be associated with elevated of IgE and should be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with this finding.