Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Pancreatic Cancer: A Rare Association

A marrow biopsy couldn't be pursued as the patient died within a week of hospitalization. An autopsy was not per-formed as per family's request. Conclusion: HLH can occur secondary to solid cell malignancies including those from the pancreas and should be kept high in the differential in critically ill cancer patients who are nonresponsive to antibiotics. H-score has been reported to be a more sensitive tool compared to the HLH protocol, especially if used earlier during the presentation. Further research is needed to compare diagnostic efficacy for HLH protocol verses H-score especially in critically ill patients as they might benefit from steroid trial. A marrow biopsy couldn't be pursued as the patient died within a week of hospitalization. An autopsy was not per-formed as per family's request.Conclusion: HLH can occur secondary to solid cell malignancies including those from the pancreas and should be kept high in the differential in critically ill cancer patients who are nonresponsive to antibiotics. H-score has been reported to be a more sensitive tool compared to the HLH protocol, especially if used earlier during the presentation. Further research is needed to compare diagnostic efficacy for HLH protocol verses H-score especially in critically ill patients as they might benefit from steroid trial.