Acute nonlymphocytic leukemias and dysmyelopoietic syndromes in patients treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma

The clinical, hematological, and cytogenetical features of six patients with hematological disorders secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), are described. Three patients developed a dysmyelopoietic syndrome (DMS); three, an acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Chromosomal analyses showed a normal karyotype in one case and an abnormal one in five cases: one with a 53-chromosome clone, two with a pseudodiploid pattern plus hyperdiploid subclones, and two with a hypodiploid pattern. Trisomy 21 was observed in two cases, tetrasomy 21 in one case, monosomy 5 and monosomy 7 in two cases. The correlations of chromosomal changes with hematological abnormalities or clinical aspects are discussed.