Lymphoma Presented as Refractory Cold Agglutinin Disease
A medical case report highlighted a 73-year-old patient who achieved remission following specialized chemotherapy.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Cancer
A 73-year-old woman initially diagnosed with refractory cold agglutinin disease was later found to have stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The case report, presented on September 9, 2026, details how the patient successfully transitioned to lymphoma treatment.
Why it matters
The case illustrates the diagnostic challenges when lymphoma masks itself as a blood disorder. It underscores the importance of screening for underlying malignancies in patients exhibiting persistent, treatment-resistant hemolysis.
The patient presented with a cold agglutinin titer of 512 and 95% bone marrow involvement, significantly higher than typical benchmarks. Hemoglobin levels improved from a critical 4.2 g/dL to 12.5 g/dL following 6 cycles of R-pola-CHP therapy.
The players
SOHO
The Society of Hematologic Oncology is an international professional organization dedicated to the study and treatment of hematologic malignancies.
The details
Initial attempts to manage the patient's severe hemolysis through plasmapheresis failed, necessitating the use of sutimlimab for bridging control before lymphoma treatment could commence. The patient ultimately achieved a complete metabolic response after completing the full 6-cycle R-pola-CHP chemotherapy regimen.
Timeline
September 9-12, 2026: The case report was presented at the SOHO 2026 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
February 2026: The patient remained transfusion-independent and in remission at the time of the last follow-up.
The Big Picture
This case report follows the pattern of clinical data dissemination established by the SOHO Annual Meeting to refine diagnostic standards. The presentation updates clinical protocols for managing complex hematologic presentations that mimic benign blood disorders.
This report highlights the necessity for patients with persistent, unexplained blood cell destruction to request thorough screening for underlying systemic cancers. It emphasizes that refractory symptoms may signal a need for advanced diagnostic imaging rather than just symptom management.
The takeaway
This case reinforces the clinical maxim to investigate secondary causes when primary hematologic symptoms are resistant to standard care. Maintaining a high index of suspicion allows for the early detection and aggressive treatment of underlying malignancies.
Further reading
For more information on the latest research and diagnostic protocols, visit the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oncology Nurse Advisor.
