Special cytological subtypes of acute myeloid leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndromes

Conventional approaches for the diagnosis of acute leukaemias are based upon morphological and cytochemical criteria. The identification of distinct morphological subtypes has been achieved by the FAB classification. The application of this generally accepted system of classification has led to a significant improvement of the diagnostic accuracy and has provided a common basis for a homogeneous comparison of the clinical evaluation of patients with acute leukaemia and myelodysplastic disorders.