# A case report of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with spherocytosis

## TL;DR

A 74-year-old man with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and spherocytosis was successfully treated with zanubrutinib and rituximab.

## Contribution

This paper reports a rare case linking lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with spherocytosis and its treatment outcome.

## Key findings

- The patient had lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma confirmed by bone marrow biopsy and immunohistochemistry.
- Spherocytosis was diagnosed via peripheral blood smear and osmotic fragility tests.
- Targeted therapy with zanubrutinib and rituximab stabilized the patient’s condition.

## Abstract

This article presents a case of a rare lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) complicated by spherocytosis in a 74-year-old male. The patient reported progressive fatigue and anemia and had a medical history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cerebral infarction. Laboratory tests indicated moderate anemia (hemoglobin 80 g/L) and a monoclonal increase in serum IgG. A bone marrow biopsy combined with immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (IgG-κ type, MYD88 L265P negative). A peripheral blood smear revealed an increase in spherocytes, a positive acidified glycerolysis test (AGLT50), abnormal erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and a negative direct antiglobulin test. Genetic screening for hereditary erythrocyte diseases showed no pathogenic variations. The patient’s condition stabilized following targeted therapy with zanubrutinib and rituximab (ZR regimen). This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing dual hematological anomalies, highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, and seeks to explore the potential pathophysiological link between LPL and spherocytosis, offering a reference for diagnosis and treatment in similar clinical scenarios.