Distribution frequency of various types of myelodysplastic syndromes

Twenty-seven patients [3-70 years old, 17 males and 10 females, 3 pediatrics and 24 adults] were diagnosed as MDS among 1520 acute and chronic leukemia cases referred to the National Cancer Institute [NCI], Cairo University, over the period from 1983-1987. All cases were subjected to clinical and hematological studies. According to the FAB criteria, the cases were classified as follows: One case [4%] had refractory anemia [RA], 8 cases [30%] had refractory anemia with excess blasts [RAEB], 16 cases [59%] had RAEB in transformation [RAEB-T], and 2 cases [7%] had chronic myelomonocytes leukemia [CMML]. The majority of the patients were under 50 years [15/24], in contrast to previously published reports. The median survival for the entire group was 10 months RA; 4 RAEB; 10 RAEB-T; 9 and CMML; 12 months. Shorter survival was observed in patients with marrow dysplasia involving the three cell lines [5.57 months]. Acute leukemia developed in 15 cases [55%], 3 cases of RAEB [11%] and 12 cases of RAEB-T [44%], while 37% of cases died from infection [RA 4%, RAEB 15%, RAEB-T 11% and CMML 7%]. The present study showed that among the MDS cases, the majority belonged to RAEB and RAEB-T subtypes. However, this observed high frequency could be due to the small number of patients with refractory anemia [RA] and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts [RARS] referred to the institute

Leucoctye acid phosphatase in haematologic disroders

Variations in the level of scores and reaction patterns of the acid phosphatase [APh] activity were estimated in blood films of 60 patients with various hematologic disorders and 30 normal controls using the azo-dye method of Goldberg and Barka [1962] with some modifications. The percentage of lymphocytes showing dot-like APh. Positivity was high in disseminated lymphoblastic lymphoma [T cell pattern], but low in acute and chronic lymphatic leukaemia [Non T pattern]. These findings are considered an additional proof to the validity of APh. As a cytochemical marker for the recognition of T-lymphocytes in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Also, our study showed that APh. May be helpful in the detection of remission in malignant lymphoma. Neutrophil APh. Activity is increased in malignant lympho-proliferative disorders, myeloproliferative disease, bacterial infection and leukaemoid reaction