Massive myeloid sarcoma affecting the central nervous system, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, liver, and rectum associated with acute myeloblastic leukaemia: a case report

J Clin Pathol. 2005 Mar;58(3):325-7. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2003.015651.

Abstract

Myeloid sarcomas are extramedullary tumours with granulocytic precursors. When associated with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), these tumours usually affect no more than two different extramedullary regions. This report describes a myeloid sarcoma associated with AML with tumour formation at five anatomical sites. The patient was a 37 year old man admitted in September 1999 with a two month history of weight loss, symptoms of anaemia, rectal bleeding, and left facial nerve palsy. The anatomical sites affected were: the rectum, the right lobe of the liver, the mediastinum, the retroperitoneum, and the central nervous system. A bone marrow smear was compatible with AML M2. Flow cytometry showed that the peripheral blood was positive for CD4, CD11, CD13, CD14, CD33, CD45, and HLA-DR. A karyotypic study of the bone marrow revealed an 8;21 translocation. The presence of multiple solid tumours in AML is a rare event. Enhanced expression of cell adhesion molecules may be the reason why some patients develop myeloid sarcomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / diagnostic imaging
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology*
  • Male
  • Sarcoma, Myeloid / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma, Myeloid / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed