Clinical implications of cytogenetic abnormalities in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Banding techniques have been applied to the study of the karyotypic alterations associated with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). These studies have identified nonrandom changes which preferentially involve certain chromosomal elements. Correlation of these chromosomal aberrations with the clinical ahd hematological findings indicates the existence of clinicocytogenetic syndromes. These patients exhibit specific chromosomal alterations with a well-defined hematological picture and clinical behavior. In this article the clinical implications of the various types of specific chromosomal abnormalities seen in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, as found in our laboratory and as reported in the literature, are reviewed and discussed.