Chronic neutrophilic leukemia

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia
Classification and external resources
ICD-9	205.1
ICD-O:	M9963/3[1]
MeSH	D015467

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder that features a persistent neutrophilia in peripheral blood, myeloid hyperplasia in bone marrow, hepatosplenomegaly, and the absence of the Philadelphia chromosome or a BCR/ABL fusion gene.^[1]

Epidemiology

This is a rare disease, with less than 100 cases reported. Of these cases, an equal male:female ratio was observed,^[2] with cases typically seen in older adults.^[3]

Clinical Features

Etiology

The etiology of CNL is currently unknown. An association between CNL and multiple myeloma has been suggested based on the observation of myeloma in 20% of CNL cases.^[4] However, a clonal genetic abnormality has not been detected in these myeloma-associated cases of CNL, raising the possibility that the neutrophilia is a reaction due to the neoplastic myeloma cells.^[1] The postulated cell of origin is a limited-potential, marrow-derived stem cell.^[5]

Clinical Presentation

The most common clinical finding is hepatosplenomegaly. Pruritus, gout, and mucocutaneous bleeding are occasionally seen.^[2][3]

Laboratory findings

Peripheral blood neutrophilia (> 25 x 10⁹/L) with myeloid precursors (promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes) comprising less than 5% of leukocytes.^{[2] [3]}

Sites of Involvement

Peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen, and liver are most common, but any organ or tissue can be infiltrated by neutrophils.^{[2] [3]}

Morphology

Bone Marrow Biopsy

On both the bone marrow aspirate and the core biopsy, a hypercellular marrow with an increased myeloid:erythroid ratio of 20:1 or greater. Myelocytes and neutrophils are increased, and blasts and promyelocytes are not increased. Due to the myeloproliferative nature of the disease, an increase in megakaryocytes and erythroid precursors may be observed, but dyspoiesis in not seen in any cell lineage. Also, reticulin fibrosis is rare.^[2][3] There is a reported association between CNL and multiple myeloma, so the bone marrow biopsy may show evidence of a plasma cell dyscrasia with increased numbers of atypical plasma cells.^[1]

Spleen

Splenic infiltrates are typically found only in the red pulp.^{[2] [3]}

Liver

Hepatic infiltrates can be found in either the sinusoids, portal triad regions, or both.^{[2] [3]}

Molecular Findings

Immunophenotype

No distinct immunophenotype abnormality for CNL has been described.^[1]

Genetics

The majority (90%) of cases have not had detectable cytogenetic abnormalities. Most importantly, the Philadelphia chromosome and other BCR/ABL fusion genes are not detected.^[1]

Current Articles

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References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Elaine Sarkin Jaffe, Nancy Lee Harris, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Harald Stein, J.W. Vardiman (2001). Pathology and genetics of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. World Health Organization Classification of Tumors. 3. Lyon: IARC Press. ISBN 92-832-2411-6. http://books.google.com/?id=XSKqcy7TUZUC. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} You W, Weisbrot IM (August 1979). "Chronic neutrophilic leukemia. Report of two cases and review of the literature". Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 72 (2): 233–42. PMID 289288. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Zittoun R, Réa D, Ngoc LH, Ramond S (February 1994). "Chronic neutrophilic leukemia. A study of four cases". Ann. Hematol. 68 (2): 55–60. doi:10.1007/BF01715131. PMID 8148416. 
4. ^ Standen GR, Steers FJ, Jones L (April 1993). "Clonality of chronic neutrophilic leukaemia associated with myeloma: analysis using the X-linked probe M27 beta". J. Clin. Pathol. 46 (4): 297–8. doi:10.1136/jcp.46.4.297. PMC 501206. PMID 8098719. http://jcp.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=8098719. 
5. ^ Yanagisawa K, Ohminami H, Sato M, et al. (March 1998). "Neoplastic involvement of granulocytic lineage, not granulocytic-monocytic, monocytic, or erythrocytic lineage, in a patient with chronic neutrophilic leukemia". Am. J. Hematol. 57 (3): 221–4. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-8652(199803)57:3<221::AID-AJH7>3.0.CO;2-X. PMID 9495373.