Transformation of essential thrombocythaemia to T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
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.
Berkahn
L C
LC
Department of Haematology, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
Nelson
J
J
Ockelford
P A
PA
Browett
P J
PJ
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
D006918:Hydroxyurea