Transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia to plasmacytoma

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Abstract
In a woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a maxillary plasmacytoma developed after 8 years. The membrane‐bound immunoglobulin of the leukemic lymphocytes, the cytoplasmic immunoglobulin of the plasma cells, the serum monoclonal protein and the urine Bence‐Jones protein had the same heavy and light chains—μ k. This suggests that the leukemic cells transformed to plasma cells. This very rare event is a complete reversal of the more common transformation that occurs in CLL and manifested by de‐differentiation. Only in one case out of the 20 previously reported patients with CLL and multiple myeloma there was evidence, like in the current case, of a common clonal origin of the two B‐cell neoplasms.