Atypical T‐cell leukemia terminating Hodgkin's disease

A case of Hodgkin's disease is described which developed into a terminal illness characterized by a malignant proliferation of T‐cells. The leukemic cells, after optical and ultrastructural analysis, were distinct from those of myelomonocytic, acute lymphoblastic, chronic lymphocytic as well as pro‐lymphocytic leukemia. Their relationship with the T‐cell lineage seemed to be confirmed by a highly positive E‐rosette test and by cytochemistry which showed focal positivity of acid phosphatase. The importance of this T‐cell malignant proliferation is discussed, especially with regard to cellular interactions in Hodgkin's disease.