TRANSLOCATION(3-3) IN A PATIENT WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND ERYTHROID DYSPLASIA

We describe a case with a translocation between the two chromosomes 3 with breakpoints q21 and q26, associated with a unique constellation o f hematologic abnormalities. Megakaryocytic dysplasia and peripheral t hrombocytosis are the most common abnormalities associated with this c hromosome abnormality. Our patient had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), t hrombocytopenia, dyserythropoiesis, and an increased myeloid/erythroid ratio but Ilo megakaryocytic dysplasia. Although multilineage involve ment has been reported, erythrocyte dysplasia associated with thromboc ytopenia and without megakaryocyte dysplasia appears to be extremely r are. Our case supports the speculation that #3 abnormalities with brea kpoints q21 and q26 affect a pluripotent stem cell and suggests that m egakaryocytic involvement may not be pathognomonic in hematologic abno rmalities with t(3;3) (q21;26).