The AML M0 is a very rare disease with a poor prognosis.The diagnosis can not be done by morphology only. There is a strong need for more examination like immunphenotyping, cytochemistry and the cytogenetic analysis.
In the years between 1995-2000, 150 blood samples from from patients located in germany have been sent to the cytogenetic laboratory in Marburg/Lahn. As a final lab-result, 17 patients could be classified with a AML M0.
The target of this study was to find out if there is any cytogenetic correspondence between these 17 examined patients with an AML M0 and the literature.
Haematological, immunphenotyping, cytochemistry and cytogenetic caracteristics were analysed in 17 patients with AML M0.
High incidences of chromosomal aberrations are very common in AML M0. Most of the abnormalities were unbalanced and the chromosome 7 was most frequently affected. Complex abnormalities were detected in 4 patients. A normal karyotype was found in 3 patients. Recent studies show that in this group with a normal karyotype you can find molecular mutations, which can not be detected with cytogenetic analysis, FISH or CGH but only with polymerase chain reaction. This could be the key for new therapies in the future.
