Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with low dose methotrexate.

Usman, A R; Yunus, M B · J Rheumatol · 1996

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

We describe 2 patients who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during treatment with low dose methotrexate (MTX) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A review of the literature identified 16 more cases published in English. Among these 18 patients, the mean RA duration was 16 yrs and lymphoma developed after a mean of 2.8 yrs of treatment with MTX. The mean total dose of MTX was 1224 mg. Although 3 patients had spontaneous regression of lymphoma, 5 of the 18 patients died. It is not known whether there is cause-effect relationship between MTX and lymphoma among patients with RA. Special awareness of this possible complication of MTX is important.

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