HEMATOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PATIENTS WITH MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES ASSOCIATED WITH A CHROMOSOME 5Q DELETION

The hematological and clinical features of 26 patients with myelodyspl asia and a chromosome 5q deletion in the bone marrow are presented. We have examined the relationship of French-American-British Co-operativ e Group (FAB) 1982 classification and bone marrow karyotype at diagnos is with patient outcome and the presence or absence of the classical f eatures of the 5q- syndrome. Those patients classified as refractory a nemia (RA) with no additional karyotypic abnormalities have the typica l features of the 5q- syndrome and a good prognosis. None of the patie nts in this group transformed to acute leukemia during the period of f ollow-up. Patients with either refractory anemia and excess blasts (RA EB) or additional karyotypic abnormalities show many of the hematologi c features of the 5q-syndrome but do not share the good prognosis. We conclude that the 5q- syndrome may be best defined as primary MDS of t he FAB type RA with a 5q deletion as the sole karyotypic abnormality. This simple definition will distinguish patients with a good prognosis and all the classical features of the 5q- syndrome. (C) 1995 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.