Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, primary empty sella, and acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

A young man is reported with an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) characterized by Addison's disease, primary hypothyroidism, primary hypogonadism, vitiligo, associated with primary empty sella and partial impairment of pituitary hormone secretion. Two years later the patient showed a null cell type acute lymphocytic leukaemia, immediately after surgery for an inguinal hernia. Pathogenetic mechanisms are postulated on the basis of HLA studies and lymphocytic typing.