Combined Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Collision Tumor Variation

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)-induced immunodeficiency has been implicated in the occurrence of several secondary or concurrent malignancies. We hereby present the first case of combined CLL and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor as collision neoplasms within metastatic periportal lymphadenopathy in a 62-year-old patient who presented with obstructive jaundice. An ovoid nodular mass was seen posterior to the head of the pancreas on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and the patient subsequently underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, with successful placement of two stents within the identified hilar stricture. Tn-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography (CT)/CT disclosed two foci of somatostatin receptor positive tissue in the upper abdomen correlating to the previously seen porta hepatis and portacaval lymphadenopathy and the patient was treated with octreotide. Simultaneous onset of CLL and secondary malignancies that each has a different disease status is a rare phenomenon but is important to diagnose for establishing an appropriate treatment strategy, which in certain cases may involve the use of agents active in both types of malignancy to minimize toxicity.