Acute lymphatoblastic leukaemia of the T-cell type in Iraqi patients: Saddam medical city experience

ABSTRACT

A total of 402 Iraqi patients diagnosed as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia [ALL] over a four year period [1987-1990] were studied. T-ALL was identified in 143 cases of the above patients [35.57%] based on the characteristic acid phosphatase reaction - Such a relative frequency is much higher than any reported study from the West. T-ALL had a peak occurrence at 6-10Yr age group. While the Non T had its peak at 0-5Yr group, and the former included significantly more males than the latter[p0.05]. the application of the FAB morphological classification revealed that the T-ALL included a significantly higher number of cases with L2 morphology as compared to the non T[P<0.001], and no cases with L3 morphology. furthermore T-ALL had higher median haemoglobins [p0.001]. leucocytes [o<0.001]and peripheral blood proportion of plast [p<0.05]than the non T this study also included a discussion of the possible cases of the relatively high frequency of the T- cell type in Iraq ALL patients. and its various haematological and morphological association