Acute leukemia and preleukemia in eight males in a family: An X‐linked disorder?

Abstract

Eight males in a family died of acute leukemia or a potentially preleukemic blood disease. Three patients were descendants of a man through his first wife, and the other five through his second wife. The pattern of disease in the family suggests X‐linked inheritance through the two wives, although other mechanisms cannot be excluded. No detectable action of environmental leukemogens was observed in this family disorder.