Fatal myelofibrosis following fludarabine administration in a patient with indolent lymphoma

Abstract

We report a case of fulminant myelofibrosis after administration of fludarabine in a patient diagnosed as having refractory low-grade lymphoma, progressing fatally. Myelofibrosis in the setting of an indolent lymphoma is very rare; this fact, and the short period between drug administration and fibrosis suggest an etiopathogenic link, although this potential and severe adverse effect of fludarabine has not been previously reported in the literature.