A further case of a t(11;20)(p15;q11.2) translocation in an acute myeloid leukemia (FAB M2)

Purpose: The clinical implications of many cytogenetic abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are now well established. However, questions about the significance of rarer abnormalities still exist, particularly in childhood disease. Patients and Methods: We report a case of a 9 1/2-year-old girl who had AML of the FAB M2 subtype. A diagnostic bone marrow aspirate and subsequent bone marrow aspirates were investigated using conventional cytogenetic methods. Results: Cytogenetic analysis of the diagnostic bone marrow aspirate showed a t(11;20)(p15;q11.2) translocation as the sole acquired abnormality. After one course of chemotherapy, the patient achieved hematopoietic and cytogenetic remission which has been sustained for 1 year after presentation. Conclusion: This report demonstrates that rare non-random cytogenetic abnormalities are still to be described in AML, and that care should be taken when ascribing clinical significance to cytogenetic findings in childhood disease based on those of older patients.