Unusual autoimmune nonhematologic complications in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Autoimmune phenomena are well known to complicate chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and occur in 10% to 25% of patients. Hematologic autoimmune complications, particularly autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia, are much more common than nonhematologic complications. We present 6 cases of patients who exhibited uncommon complications of CLL: myasthenia gravis, acquired von Willebrand disease, bullous pemphigoid, and acquired angioedema. In our patients, the activity and recrudescences of these complications were highly associated with CLL remission or progression. More awareness of the association of CLL with these complications could facilitate earlier diagnosis and effective treatment.