Hypereosinophilia in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at diagnosis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
Hypereosinophilia as first clinical presentation has rarely been reported in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It is commonly associated with specific cytogenetic abnormalities. Although eosinophilia is considered a reactive, non-neoplastic epiphenomenon, it adversely affects patient outcomes, both in children and adults. We describe herewith two paediatric patients who had marked eosinophilia at onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. We point out the importance of a correct differential diagnosis in persistent, unexplained peripheral hypereosinophilia. Clinicians should keep in mind that eosinophilia can be part of the overall pattern of acute leukaemia and therefore needs to be properly investigated. We also provide some recommendations for an appropriate approach to hypereosinophilia - related morbidities.
Department of Paediatric Haemato-Oncology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Via Posillipo, 226, 80123 Napoli, Italy. rparasol64@gmail.com.
Rosanna
R
Parasole
Fara
F
Petruzziello
Antonia
A
De Matteo
Giovanna
G
Maisto
Luisa
L
Castelli
Maria Elena
ME
Errico
Giuseppe
G
Menna
Vincenzo
V
Poggi
D000293:Adolescent; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis