BCR-ABL HYBRID MESSENGER-RNA IN A PATIENT WITH PHILADELPHIA-NEGATIVE ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA

We describe a case of Philadelphia-negative essential thrombocythemia in whom bcr-abl hybrid messenger RNA was detected, The patient suffere d from frequent splenic infarctions and myelofibrosis. Interestingly, a transformation to acute leukemia which was commonly seen in patients with bcr-abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia did not occur unti l he died from heart failure due to severe anemia 8 years after the di agnosis. The heterogeneity of bcr-abl-positive essential thrombocythem ia is emphasized.