title: Granulocytic sarcoma in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia in complete haematological, cytogenetic and molecular remission.
abstract: Granulocytic sarcoma, also known as myeloid sarcoma, is an extramedullary tumour composed of immature myeloid cells. Granulocytic sarcoma is typically found in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, accelerated phase or blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or as an isolated event without bone marrow involvement. We present a case of granulocytic sarcoma in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia in the setting of complete haematological, molecular and cytogenetic remission. Our patient was first treated with imatinib for chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia. After maintaining remission for 42 months, he developed a granulocytic sarcoma in his spine. In this case report, we describe our case, along with the three other cases reported in the literature. In addition to being a rare diagnosis, this case demonstrates the importance of being vigilant in diagnosing the cause of back pain and atypical symptoms in patients with a history of leukaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, George Washington University Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kittai
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Eun-Mi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Imad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tabbara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D023981:Sarcoma, Myeloid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate