[T-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with eosinophilia].

A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in January 1990, because of weakness of upper limbs. On admission he was found to have generalized lymphadenopathy and leukocytosis. His WBC count was 40,900/microliters with 88% eosinophils. The bone marrow showed an increased number of eosinophils and their precursors but no other abnormalities. A diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (diffuse, medium sized cell type) was made by biopsy of his inguinal lymph node. The result of marker analysis was consistent with CD3+4+8-. The antibody to human T-lymphotropic virus type I was negative. A stomach biopsy revealed lymphoma cell infiltration. Extensive studies to identify the cause of the eosinophilia were undertaken, with consistently negative results. Combination chemotherapy was begun, and resulted in a dramatic resolution of the eosinophilia and the lymphadenopathy. The association of hypereosinophilia with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unusual. We report a patient with eosinophilia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and discussed its possible etiology.