A 5-year prospective follow-up study in essential cryofibrinogenemia patients

IntroductionCryofibrinogenemia may be essential, or secondary to diseases such as neoplasia, infection, thrombosis, and collagen vascular diseases. In a previous study, we reported the occurrence of neoplasia in some essential cryofibrinogenemia patients after a short period of follow-up.PurposeWe performed a prospective multi-center 5-year follow-up study in essential cryofibrinogenemia patients (2005–2009).Results23 patients with essential cryofibrinogenemia were included, mean age 59 years (range: 33–79), 14 males. After a mean follow-up period of 24 months, 11/23 (47%) of cases that were initially diagnosed as essential cryofibrinogenemia were found to have an underlying lymphoma (6 T lymphoma and 5 B lymphoma).ConclusionThis prospective study suggests that some cases of cryofibrinogenemia that are initially considered as essential, may have underlying lymphoma. Thus, we further suggest that regular follow-up should be performed in patients with essential cryofibrinogenemia.