Thomas J. Degnan

Cytogenetic findings in the dysmyelopoietic syndrome.

Cytogenetic studies of bone marrow specimens from 15 patients with dysmyelopoietic syndrome are presented. The group consists of nine patients with refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB), three patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL), and three patients with acquired idiopathic sideroblastic anemia (AISA). None of these patients had a prior history of therapeutic or occupational exposure to potential carcinogenic agents. G(TG)‐banding revealed clonal abnormalities in nine of the 15 patients. Five of these patients exhibited one or more of the following cytogenetic abnormalities: 5q deletion, −7, +8, or +21. The AISA group appeared to be unique as chromosome abnormalities were seen in two of the three patients and the clinical course in these patients has been prolonged without progression to acute leukemia. No other clinical correlations could be made in the blast RAEB and CMMoL groups, except for possible survival benefit in patients with normal karyotypes.

Morbidity of staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease.

The morbidity of exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy in Hodgkins disease was determined at three institutions--a university hospital, a major university affiliated hospital and a large community hospital. Of the 90 patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy, 33 (37%) sustained a major or minor complication within two weeks of surgery. Seventeen patients (19%) sustained a minor complication and 16 patients (18%) a major complication. There was no mortality. A higher complication rate occurred in patients more than 28 years of age (p = 0.01), and in patients with advanced clinical stage when age was controlled (p = 0.05). We suggest that prior to performing an exploratory laparotomy in a given patient, the necessity of the procedure be weighed against its potential hazards.

Meningeal involvement in IgD myeloma with cerebrospinal fluid paraprotein analysis

Myelomatous meningitis is a rare occurrence in multiple myeloma. We report 2 cases of documented IgD myeloma with cytologic evidence of meningeal involvement in 1 and detailed paraprotein analysis in both. The occurrence of meningeal involvement in this rare form of plasma cell neoplasm may be more common than previously thought. Cancer 46:152–155, 1980.

Dysmyelopoietic syndrome: Current concepts

Compte-rendu de seminaire. Caracteristiques morphologiques de la myelodysplasie (avec microscopie electronique). Modifications cytogenetiques. Evaluation clinique

Acquired idiopathic sideroblastic anemia: A new chromosomal abnormality

We describe two patients with acquired idiopathic sideroblastic anemia and a terminal deletion of chromosome No. 11. In spite of the marked chromosomal abnormality neither patient has developed acute leukemia.

Burkitt's leukemia: A re‐evaluation

Two patients who presented with acute leukemia of Burkitts cell type are discussed. Although one patient died within four months of diagnosis, the other has maintained a one year clinical complete remission. The clinical and morphologic picture of Burkitts leukemia is nonspecific and therefore requires complementary studies including cytochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, cell surface markers and cytogenetics studies to establish a diagnosis. Serial bone marrow aspirations with marker analyses may detect relapse at an earlier stage than conventional cytology, allowing therapy to be modified prior to overt clinical relapse.

Association of Monosomy 7 with Myelodysplasia Following Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Disease: Serial Observations

Myelodysplasia and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia following therapy for Hodgkins disease are observed rather frequently. Herein, we describe a patient with this syndrome treated with prolonged chemotherapy (alone), having a monosomy 7 karyotype. Cytogenetic studies were performed serially during the myelodysplasia preceding overt leukemia. Review of the literature and relevance of these findings are discussed.

Secretion of Primary Granules from Developing Human Eosinophilic Promyelocytes

Summary This study indicates that the primary large homogenous dense granules of eosinophilic promyelocytes are released into the extracellular space of the marrow by exocytosis while the cell is producing new secretory granules. This process appears to occur in two steps: Initial fusion of several individual granules to form one large myeloperoxidase positive membrane-delimited body, followed by exocytotic release of the granule content. The membrane of this large secretory granule appears to be retained within the cell since empty, myeloperoxidase positive vacuolar structures remain following secretion.

A complex variant Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome translocation involving chromosomes No. 11, 14, and 22 in a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Abstract A case of chronic myelogenous leukemia is described with a variant Philadelphia (Ph 1 ) chromosome involving chromosomes No. 11, 14, and 22. The description of all G-banded cells is 46, XX, t(11;14;22)(q13;q32;q11). The pathogenetic implications are discussed.

Biclonal lgM gammopathy in a lymphoproliferative disorder

An unusual case of an IgM producing lymphoproliferative disorder is presented. Using immunoflu‐orescent techniques, this study shows that the heavy chain is associated with kappa light chain in some cells, and with lambda light chain in other cells. This indicates the presence of two distinct malignant cell populations in this patient.