Hemophagocytosis simulating malignant histiocytosis: A terminal event of the myelodysplastic syndrome

We describe a patient with hemophagocytic syndrome resembling malignant histiocytosis which was complicating myelodysplastic disease of 3 years duration. Detailed morphological and ultrastructural studies indicate that the histiocytic component did not demonstrate features of malignancy. A review of other known malignancies ending up in the hemophagocytic syndrome is given, and the significance of this syndrome is discussed.