Laboratory diagnosis of idiopathic myelofibrosis. Review of the literature and presentation of 15 cases

We report on 15 patients affected by myelofibrosis. The main clinical aspects were hepatosplenomegaly, anemia and leukocytosis. Immature cells and anisopoikilocytosis of the erythrocytes were frequently found in the peripheral blood. At bone biopsy, various aspects of panhyperplasia, increase in the reticular fibers, myeloid fibrosis and osteosclerosis were observed. Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase was frequently elevated. The clinical and laboratory course of the disease, causes of death and the possible etiopathogenetic aspects of this disease are considered and discussed.