Hypophosphatemia accompanying blastic crisis in a patient with malignant lymphoma.

A patient with malignant lymphoma showed severe hypophosphatemia during a blastic crisis. x-Ray microprobe analysis of the cells at this stage revealed a high phosphorus content. Following treatment and a decline in the white cell count the serum phosphorus increased, whereas the cellular phosphorus decreased. The potential prognostic value of serum and cellular phosphorus determinations during the course of malignant disorders of the hematopoietic system is discussed.