title: Transformation of essential thrombocythaemia to T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
abstract: Leukaemic transformation of essential thrombocythaemia is a rare event and is usually associated with previous treatment with either alkylating agents or radioactive phosphorous. We describe a patient with essential thrombocythaemia who developed an acute leukaemia of T cell phenotype following hydroxyurea therapy. The T cell phenotype of the blasts suggests the target cell for leukaemic transformation was a pluripotential stem cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Berkahn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ockelford
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Browett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D006918:Hydroxyurea