title: Eosinophilic leukemic transformation in polycythemia rubra vera (PRV).
abstract: We report a rare case of eosinophilic leukemia transformation in a patient with polycythemia rubra vera on hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) therapy only. Cytogenetic study showed complex abnormalities including -5, -7, +8, suggestive of a secondary leukemia. The leukemogenic risk of hydroxycarbamide, a ribonucleoside reductase, and the risk of natural leukemic transformation of polycythemia rubra vera is discussed in the context of previous PVSG studies.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jcschim@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chim
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D006918:Hydroxyurea