OSTEOLYTIC LESIONS AS A PRESENTING SIGN OF ACUTE NONLYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Osteolytic lesions occur rarely in acute leukemia, especially in adult s, We describe a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, in whom multiple osteolytic lesions were the presenting sign of the transform ation into acute leukemia. Local irradiation to a painful lesion in th e left hip resulted in transient but significant symptomatic relief wi th improved quality of life. We conclude that osteolytic lesions, alth ough rare in adult acute leukemia, indicate an advanced disease state, but may respond to palliative local irradiation.