A case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with rapid progression of pulmonary areas of ground-glass attenuation and multiple nodules

We report a case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) with rapidly progressive pulmonary areas of ground-glass attenuation (GGA) and nodules resulting from acute transformation of chronic ATL. A 48-year-old Japanese man was admitted for progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed rapidly progressive bilateral pulmonary areas of GGA and nodules. Flow cytometry of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and immunohistochemical examination of lung biopsy specimens revealed invasion of ATL cells. Systemic chemotherapy improved the pulmonary findings. Rapidly expanding areas of GGA and nodules are a rare manifestation of pulmonary invasion of ATL that clinicians should nevertheless keep in mind.