Development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in a case of Sjögren's syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Persistent lymphocytosis and intermittent fever were found in a 68-yr-old Chinese woman 5 yr after the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A series of examinations--including virology, bone marrow aspiration and surface markers of lymphocytes--was made to evaluate the nature of the lymphocytosis which had not been found previously. All of the results were consistent with the diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Development of CLL in Sjögren's syndrome has seldom been described before and may be added to other malignancies associated with Sjögren's syndrome.