Eosinophilic leukemic transformation in polycythemia rubra vera (PRV).
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.
Chim
C S
CS
University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jcschim@hkucc.hku.hk
Ma
S K
SK
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
D006918:Hydroxyurea