Acute megakaryocytic leukemia. Description of a case initially seen as preleukemia syndrome

Abstract

A 52-yr-old man had aregenerative anemia unresponsive to pyridoxine hydrochloride. Acute leukemia developed, and he died 4 mo. after diagnosis. At autopsy he had acute megakaryocytic leukemia with involvement of bone marrow, liver, spleen, adrenals, kidneys and thyroid. Chromosomal analysis revealed absence of diploid and Ph[Philadelphia]1 chromosomes. A mode of 45 chromosomes and aneuploidy were present. This is similar to the only other case with chromosomal studies. Of the 15 acceptable documented cases, 8 were men and 7 were women. Their age varied from 28-76 (mean, 55) yr. Only 2 were less than 40 yr of age. Most had pancytopenia, and all were dead within 6 mo. of diagnosis.