Myelodysplastic transformation in a case of essential thrombocythemia treated with pipobroman

• Published in: Haematologica (Roma) Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 51 - 53
• Main Authors: Messora, C, Bensi, L, Vanzanelli, P, Temperani, P, Carotenuto, M, Sacchi, S
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Pavia Haematologica 01-01-1996
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myelodysplastic Syndromes - chemically induced; Pipobroman - adverse effects; Thrombocythemia, Essential - drug therapy; Chromosomal aberration; Human; Antineoplastic agent; Malignant hemopathy; Blast transformation; Essential; Myelodysplastic syndrome; Refractory anemia with blasts excess; Case study; Thrombocythemia; Myeloproliferative syndrome; Alkylating agent; Chemotherapy; Platelet; Treatment; Deletion; Abnormal chromosome; Adult; Complication; Piperazine derivatives; Abnormal chromosome C11
• ISSN: 0390-6078; 1592-8721

Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Oncologiche e Radiologiche, Universita di Modena, Italy.
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal disorder of the myeloid stem cell that causes pathologic expansion of the megakaryocytic elements in the bone marrow, with a persistent increase in the platelet count. In order to avoid the mutagenic effects of radioactive phosphorous and alkylating agents, various European clinicians use pipobroman rather than hydroxyurea as single chemotherapeutic treatment, since it is simple and well tolerated and does not lead to hematological complications or the risk of visceral cancer. Here we describe a 63-year-old ET patient who showed myelodysplastic transformation (RAEB-t) of the primary disease after about eight years of therapy with pipobroman at variable dosages.