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Abstract

Left cervical lymphadenopathy developed in a 50-year-old male who had a history of adult-onset Still's disease for the preceding 18 months. Still's disease is characterized by rash, fever, and leukocytosis. Lymphadenopathy has been reported in about 60% of the patients, and most histopathologic studies have shown non-specific reactive hyperplasia. However, in this case, an open biopsy of the cervical node revealed a histology of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The B-cell malignant lymphoma that developed may have resulted from a sequential progression of a previous stage of benign lymphoproliferative lesion. Our case suggests that the pathophysiology of adultonset Still's disease involves the stimulation of lymphoid systems to the point of progression towards lymphoma. Malignant lymphoma should be added to the list of life-threatening complications which, although rare, are associated with this disease.

Keywords

adult onset Still's disease lymphadenopathy malignant lymphoma

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References

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A case of adult-onset Still's disease complicated by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

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