Chromosomal aberrations in acute leukemia.

C HROMOSOMAL CHANGES are frequently encountered in a variety of neoplastic conditions and are of great interest to both the pathologist and geneticist.2#{176} Chromosomal studies have had a profound impact on medical genetics. Further investigations are required, however, in order to elucidate the relationship between neoplasia and chromosome patterns. These studies should help to clarify the role of genetic imbalance in the development of the neoplastic process. It is now abundantly clear that certain hematologic disorders such as chronic granulocytic leukemia are accompanied by a specific chromosomal anomaly.4#{176} On the other hand, the various forms of acute leukemia do not exhibit a specific abnormal chromosomal pattern. As previously reported l)y other investigators and by our laboratory as well, acUte leukemia is known to occur with or without discernible chromosomal changes.4’14’2M’2 ”4#{176}45’52 Chromosomal al)errations in acute leukemia, when present, do not appear to be specific, a great variety of changes having been observed. Nevertheless, certain general similarities have been described more