Preleukaemia

Abstract

Four cases of preleukemia were studied from onset to death. They presented with a deficiency of at least 1 of the cellular components of the peripheral blood, a hyperplastic marrow and no enlargement of spleen or lymph nodes. Extensive investigations were not diagnostic until a terminal stage was reached. The nature of preleukemia is discussed and it is suggested that it is the manifestation of a slow growing, occult, leukemic process rather than a definitive hemato-logical condition with a sporadic proclivity to leukemic transformation.