GRANULOCYTIC SARCOMA WITH TRANSLOCATION (9-11)(P22-Q23) - 2 CASES

Granulocytic sarcomas are localized deposits of myeloid leukemia cells that may precede or occur concurrently with disseminated disease. Ln either event, the origins of the cells comprising the malignancy are t he same. Published reports of granulocytic sarcomas have described, in the majority of cases, a morphology typical of AML-M2 and the presenc e of the t(8;21)(q22;q21) typical of that FAB type. In a smaller numbe r of cases, the inv(16)(p13q22) characteristic of AML-M4 has been reco rded in cells with a myelomonocytic appearance. We report two patients with granulocytic sarcomas showing monocytic morphology in which the malignant cells showed t(9;11)(p22;q23) typical of AML-M5. This abnorm ality is seen in up to 7% of childhood AML, but has not previously bee n reported in granulocytic sarcoma. The detection of this cytogenetic abnormality facilitated She precise characterization of the malignant cells and selection of the most appropriate therapy, emphasizing the v alue of cytogenetic analysis in cases of granulocytic sarcoma. (C) Els evier Science Inc., 1997.