CLL with central nervous system involvement: report of two cases with a comprehensive literature review.

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BlankChronic lymphocytic leukemia with central nervous system involvement:

report of two cases with a comprehensive literature review.

AA Moazzam, J Drappatz, RY Kim, and S Kesari

J Neurooncol, July 17, 2011;

Department of Neurosciences, s UCSD Cancer Center, University of California

at San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare complication of chronic

lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with varied outcomes. We contribute two additional

cases of CLL with CNS involvement. The clinical course and response to treatment

are described. All 78 previously reported cases of CLL with CNS involvement are

presented in this comprehensive review of the literature. CNS involvement of CLL

is a rare complication that does not seem to correlate with any evident risk

factors. Resolution of CNS symptoms can often be accomplished with intrathecal

chemotherapy or irradiation. Early detection and treatment may result in better

outcomes in this rare complication.

PMID: 21769650