acute leukemias

Digital slides

 Acute leukemia after essential thrombocytosis: Descartes #9963 (ICSF)

Digital cases

 Case HPC:277 (Acute leukemia after essential thrombocytosis)

Types

 acute myeloid leukemias (acute myeloblastic leukemias) (AML)
 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
 acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL)

Classification

The traditional classification of the acute leukemias has relied on morphologic description, reflecting the predominant cell type present within the bone marrow population and relating that cell to its normal hematopoietic counterpart.

In 1976, the French-American-British (FAB) group of hematopathologists established a subclassification system for the acute leukemias that separated AML and ALL into distinct disorders. This system was based solely on light-microscopic evaluation of routinely stained blood and marrow smears, supplemented by a limited number of cytochemical procedures. Because of its ease of use and applicability when comparing treatment results among institutions, this system was widely adopted. In addition, the FAB system was shown to have independent prognostic significance regarding survival. The system was revised in 1985 to provide clarification and extend to new diagnostic techniques.

In 2001, a committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) described a comprehensive classification scheme that utilizes morphology, immunophenotyping, etiology, and cytogenetics and more clearly distinguishes between AML, MDS, and chronic myeloproliferative disorders. (Medscape)

See also

 Leukemias

References

 Mrózek K, Heerema NA, Bloomfield CD. Cytogenetics in acute leukemia. Blood Rev 2004;18:115-136. PMID: 15010150