The application of molecular analyses for primary granulocytic sarcoma with a specific chromosomal translocation

Int J Hematol. 2005 Oct;82(3):210-4. doi: 10.1532/IJH97.04151.

Abstract

Primary granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare disease defined by the absence of antecedent or concomitant leukemic cells in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. Immunohistochemical staining for myeloperoxidase is necessary for a definite diagnosis. Otherwise, primary GS is often misdiagnosed as a malignant lymphoma or other malignancies. Primary GS is well known to frequently develop into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here we describe a 28-year-old woman with primary GS manifesting as an epidural tumor in the sacral region accompanied by meningeal dissemination. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis detected the AML1/MTG8 fusion gene in neoplastic cells obtained from her cerebrospinal fluid specimen and the epidural mass. The AML1/MTG8 fusion gene transcript was also detected by a nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of mononuclear cells from the bone marrow, although leukemic cells were not recognized in a microscopical examination of the patient's bone marrow. Systemic chemotherapy with high-dose cytarabine followed by local radiotherapy was performed, and the patient clinically achieved a complete response. These molecular analyses provide a precise method of diagnosis, especially with respect to the French-American-British AML classification, according to the characteristic karyotypic alterations, and a patient consequently can quickly be given appropriate systemic chemotherapy as induction therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / genetics*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / genetics*
  • Cytarabine / administration & dosage
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Hemibody Irradiation
  • Humans
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein
  • Sarcoma, Myeloid / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Myeloid / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Myeloid / therapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Translocation, Genetic*

Substances

  • AML1-ETO fusion protein, human
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein
  • Cytarabine