Granulocytic sarcoma of the pancreas: a report of two cases and literature review

Granulocytic sarcomas (GS) are extramedullary tumour masses of immature myeloid cells, also known as chloroma and extramedullary myeloid cell tumour. These neoplasms usually occur simultaneously with, or follow the onset of, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Rarely, they are the first manifestation of AML. GS may also be the first sign of transformation to AML in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic syndromes. GS have been reported to occur in a variety of tissues, but presentation as an abdominal mass and, in particular, infiltration of the pancreas is rare. We report two cases of pancreatic GS, review the literature, and discuss recent insights into the basic biological properties of these rare tumours.     

Granulocytic sarcoma of the pancreas: a report of two cases and literature review.

Granulocytic sarcomas (GS) are extramedullary tumour masses of immature myeloid cells, also known as chloroma and extramedullary myeloid cell tumour. These neoplasms usually occur simultaneously with, or follow the onset of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Rarely, they are the first manifestation of AML. GS may also be the first sign of transformation to AML in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic syndromes. GS have been reported to occur in a variety of tissues, but presentation as an abdominal mass and, in particular, infiltration of the pancreas is rare. We report two cases of pancreatic GS, review the literature, and discuss recent insights into the basic biological properties of these rare tumours.     

Granulocytic sarcoma of the colon and leukemic infiltration of the liver in a patient presenting with hematochezia and jaundice

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is an extramedullary tumor composed of immature cells of the granulocytic series known to occur in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelogenous leukemia, or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is relatively rare in GS. We present an extremely rare case of GS of the colon and liver infiltration in a 60-year-old male patient with AML presenting with jaundice and hematochezia and review the literature. It should be kept in mind that hematochezia may be due to colonic involvement of GS besides thrombocytopenia which is usually encountered in patients with AML.     

Diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma by fine-needle aspiration cytology

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) occurs in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders as well as in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These tumorous masses can occur anywhere in the body and have to be differentiated from lymphoma, carcinoma or infectious processes. We report the results of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in 26 patients with GS. Seventeen patients suffered from AML and 9 from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis. In 5 patients with AML, GS was the initial presentation of hematological malignancy, in the remaining 21 patients, FNAC confirmed relapse of AML or extramedullary blast crisis of CML. In 8 patients, GS was located in the skin, in 17 in the lymph node and in another patient in the spinal canal. This study demonstrates the clinical utility and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in the evaluation of GS from multiple sites.     

Granulocytic sarcoma of the pancreas: A case report and review of the literatures

Background  

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), also known as extramedullary myeloid tumor or chloroma. It forms a solid malignant tumor consisting of myelocytes or granulocytes and is typically located in bone while occurrence in other parts of the body is rare.     

Acute myeloid leukemia with mediastinal myeloid sarcoma refractory to acute myeloid leukemia therapy but responsive to l-asparaginase

We report the case of a 14-year-old female with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloid sarcomas (MS) in the anterior mediastinum and around numerous bones. Laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 4.0?×?10(9)/l with 7.0?% blasts. Computed tomography revealed a mediastinal mass and pleural effusion; pleural effusion cytology was negative for malignant cells. In addition, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was present. Following DIC therapy, thoracoscopic and bone marrow biopsies were performed. Immunostaining and surface marker analysis revealed that the blast cells were positive for cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase, CD4, CD7, CD33, CD44, CD117, and HLA-DR, but negative for CD34 and CD56. Karyotype was normal. MS associated with AML was diagnosed. Multidrug chemotherapy for AML was completely ineffective, and MS continued to progress. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the blasts were negative for asparagine synthetase (AS); therefore, chemotherapy including L: -asparaginase was initiated. After the first administration of L: -asparaginase, the patient's condition improved; however, she subsequently developed tumor lysis syndrome and sepsis, which eventually led to death. Aggressive MS in childhood is rare and refractory to existing AML chemotherapy. Chemotherapy including L: -asparaginase may prove to be effective in such cases, especially those in which blast cells show negative AS expression.     

Acute myeloid leukaemia with the Philadelphia chromosome.

A case report of serial chromosome studies on a 26-year-old male with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is presented. The classic Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) translocation, t (9;22) was found in 77% of the metaphases at diagnosis and in 100% in relapse; during a 3-month remission period the cytogenetic picture was normal or the Ph1 was present in a minor cell population only. The clinical and morphologic features of this case indicated that it was really a case of AML and less likely chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) presenting in blast crisis. It is suggested that the oncogen producing the 9;22-translocation and CML may also induce AML in rare instances.     

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia with the Philadelphia Chromosome

A case report of serial chromosome studies on a 26-year-old male with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is presented. The classic Philadelphia chromosome (Ph¹) transloca-tion, t (9; 22) was found in 77 % of the metaphases at diagnosis and in 100 % in relapse; during a 3-month remission period the cytogenetic picture was normal or the Ph1 was present in a minor cell population only. The clinical and morphologic features of this case indicated that it was really a case of AML and less likely chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) presenting in blast crisis. It is suggested that the oncogen producing the 9; 22-translocation and CML may also induce AML in rare instances.     

Atypical presentation of acute myeloid leukemia: cardiac myeloid sarcoma

We present the case of a 52-year-old man with a 2-month history of dyspnea, bilateral pleural effusion and cardiomegaly of rapid onset. A cardiac ultrasound showed pericardial effusion with infiltration of the infero-lateral cardiac wall, right auricle and aortic arch by a mass of unknown origin. Despite 1% blast cells in the peripheral blood, 2 bone marrow biopsies were negative for malignancy. Flow cytometry analysis of the blood and immunohistochemistry study of the pleural liquid showed a blast population of CD34+, CD33+, CD13+ and HLA-DR+ cells; a percutaneous cardiac biopsy showed CD34+ cells in the pericardium which led to the diagnosis of extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The patient was treated with induction chemotherapy allowing remission, but unfortunately died of septic shock of fungal origin. This case illustrates a rare presentation of cardiac extramedullary AML.     

Granulocytic sarcoma of cervix: A rare case report

Rationale:Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is an uncommon extramedullary tumor, and involvement of the female reproductive system is very rare.Patient concerns:We present a case of cervical GS in a 45-year-old woman who presented with repeated vaginal bleeding after sex for 1 month.Diagnosis:The patient was diagnosed with cervical GS mainly based on pathological immunohistochemical examination and further progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on bone marrow puncture and cytogenetic analysis.Interventions and outcomes:The patient underwent hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy, and subsequently received AML-type chemotherapy. She relapsed 3 months after therapy and progressed to AML. The patient was then treated with chemotherapy with cytosine arabinoside and idarubicin again and achieved complete remission after 1 cycle. Currently, she is still receiving therapy combined with cytosine arabinoside and idarubicin, and has been alive for 13 months.Lessons:Although GS of the reproductive system is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of gynecological neoplasms and should be treated with AML-type chemotherapy protocols.     

Pleural Effusion as an Unusual Initial Presentation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Pleural effusions in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can have wide differential diagnosis, however AML presenting as pleural effusion with leukemic infiltration is rarely documented. A 22 year old male presented with pleural effusion for 3 months and subsequently diagnosed as AML M2, which prompted us for this communication.     

Granulocytic sarcoma with breast and skin presentation: a report of a case successfully treated by local radiation and systemic chemotherapy

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare extramedullary tumor composed of immature myeloid cells. It is usually associated with leukemia or other myeloproliferative disorders, but can also occur without overt hematologic disease, i.e. in patients with a normal bone marrow and no history of acute myelogenous leukemia. This primary extramedullary lesion may indeed represent a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for both the hematopathologist and oncologist. We describe a case of GS diagnosed in a nonleukemic patient and review the literature regarding the pathologic features and treatment of this condition.     

Rare occurrence of N-ras point mutations in Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia

Point mutations of the N-ras oncogene are relatively common in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells, occurring in some 25% to 50% of patient samples. We used a technique involving the direct nucleotide sequencing of in vitro amplified N-ras genomic fragments to determine the frequency of N-ras point mutations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells at various stages of the disease. This approach will detect N-ras point mutations in a mixed population of cells if the mutation is present in 25% or more of the cells. We could not demonstrate any point mutation at N-ras codons 12,13 or 59-63 in any of the 44 CML cases analyzed, which included 21 blast crisis samples. In contrast with AML N-ras point mutations are exceedingly rare in CML.     

Granulocytic sarcoma with orbit, cauda equina, muscle and peripheral nerve extension but without bone marrow involvement

We report a very rare case of granulocytic sarcoma (GS) with muscle and peripheral nerve extension but without bone marrow involvement. A 53-year-old woman presented with sciatic pain and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral orbital and cauda equina region tumors. The blood cell count, and bone marrow histology and cytology were normal. The characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytologic picture of CD14+, CD33+, CD4+, CD56+ and positive nonspecific erastase staining suggested the diagnosis of GS. The patient underwent intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy, as if she had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This case emphasizes the value of CSF cytological examination and the use of an immunocytochemical marker.     

IDH1 and IDH2 mutation analysis in Chinese patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

The somatic mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase genes (IDH1 and IDH2) have been identified in a proportion of hematologic malignancies. We examined IDH1 R132 and IDH2 R140/R172 mutations by high resolution melting analysis and direct sequencing in Chinese patients with different myeloid malignancies including 198 acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 82 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 85 chronic myeloid leukemia, and 57 myeloproliferative neoplasms. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations were found in four (2.0%) and ten (5.0%) AML and in two (2.4%) and three (3.6%) MDS cases, but not in other patients. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations were heterozygous and mutually exclusive. IDH1/2 mutations were significantly more frequently observed in cytogenetically normal AML or MDS compared to those without mutations. There was no difference in overall survival of both AML and MDS patients with or without IDH1/2 mutations (P = 0.177 and 0.407, respectively). In conclusion, IDH1/2 mutations are recurrent but rare molecular aberrations in Chinese AML and MDS.     

Acute myelocytic leukemia (M0) in an elderly patient with relapsed granulocytic sarcoma (M7) of bone during the second period of complete remission 5 years after onset]

A 75-year-old man was admitted because of right knee joint pain in December 1999. He had suffered from acute myelocytic leukemia (AML: M0) in November 1994 and achieved the first complete remission (CR) then. His AML relapsed in August 1996, but fortunately he achieved a second CR. Radiographical bone examination revealed osteolytic lesions in his right knee and bone scintigraphy showed uptake in the right knee and the middle part of the left femur. MRI also revealed a low attenuation signal in the left femur. He had no abnormal findings in peripheral blood or bone marrow. Histological examination of the biopsied bone tissue showed a diffuse proliferation of round cells with medium-sized or large nuclei. These cells were histochemistrically negative for myeloperoxidase and naphtol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase, and were also negative for lysozyme, cytokeratin 7, 9, 20, EMA, CEA, CD3, CD79a on immunohistochemistry, but were positive for CD43, CD56. In immunophenotypic analysis of these cells by flow cytometry, CD7, CD13, CD33, CD41, CD56 were revealed to be strongly positive. On the basis of these findings we diagnosed these tumors as granulocytic sarcomas (GS), extramedullary recurrence of AML M7. Although radiation (36Gy) to these tumors brought a temporary relief of the pain, he died of systemic relapse of AML in February 2001. When presented CD7+ AML M0 had been diagnosed, but GS cells were also positive for CD 56 and CD41. Although CD56 had not been examined initially, he might have been had myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia and CD41 might be acquired later in the course of the disease. It is known that AML M0, M7 and myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia have poor prognoses, nevertheless he survived for 6 years. It may be that intensive and repeated chemotherapy for AML can obtain excellent outcome in the elderly cases in good systemic condition and with favourable prognostic factors.     

Acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21)(q22;q22) manifesting as granulocytic sarcomas in the rhinopharynx and external acoustic meatus at relapse after high-dose cytarabine: case report and review of the literature

We report a 31-year-old female with t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), M2 in the FAB classification. Complete remission was achieved with daunorubicin and cytarabine induction therapy followed by three courses of high-dose cytarabine consolidation. Only 3 months later, the patient relapsed with granulocytic sarcomas (GSs) in her rhinopharynx, external acoustic meatus, and bone marrow. She received focal radiation for the GSs and successfully underwent reinduction chemotherapy. Subsequently, she received a matched related donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation followed by high-dose chemotherapy and is now in a second remission. We summarized 79 reported cases of t(8;21) AML with GS and reviewed the literature to identify differences in the characteristics of t(8;21) AML with GS between adults and children. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pharyngeal GS in t(8;21) AML, and focal irradiation plus more intensive postinduction therapy during first remission, such as allogeneic-SCT, may be effective in adult t(8;21) AML patients with GS.