A case report of AML with myelodysplasia-related changes with aggressive course in association with t(3;8)(q26;q24)

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is frequently associated with clonal cytogenetic abnormalities which are major predictors of the disease outcome. t(3;8)(q26;q24) was reported as a rare recurrent cytogenetic abnormality in MDS/acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with poor prognosis. Here, we present a case of MDS which rapidly advanced to AML with t(3;8)(q26;q24) in an elderly patient. Anemia and prominent megakaryocytic dysplasia in the absence of marked thrombocytopenia were distinct morphologic features. Patient progressed to leukemia and succumbed to the disease within 7 months from the initial diagnosis. Morphologic and clinical features in this patient resembled “3q21q26 syndrome” which is also associated with poor prognosis. Reports of unfavorable outcome in the patients with t(3;8)(q26;q24) highlight the probable significance of this cytogenetic abnormality for risk stratification in MDS/AML.