title: Robertsonian translocation as an acquired karyotypic abnormality in leukaemia.
abstract: Robertsonian translocations, although relatively common as a constitutional genetic aberration, are rarely encountered in leukaemia. We report a case of acute myeloid leukaemia which showed an acquired Robertsonian translocation in the form of der(14;21) by cytogenetic analysis of leukaemic cells. This was confirmed by the PHA-stimulated culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes. A review of the literature identifies only eight reported cases of acquired Robertsonian translocations in leukaemia. In the majority of cases the Robertsonian translocation occurs as a secondary change in a complex abnormal clone, whereas in two out of nine patients reported, including ours, it is found as a sole karyotypic abnormality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: E Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 / Q000235:genetics*; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014178:Translocation, Genetic