[Two cases of malignant and benign systemic mastocytosis]

The authors give a short account about the clinical histories of two patients: one with malignant systemic mastocytosis resulting in acute myeloid leukaemia, the other with indolent systemic mastocytosis. A brief review is reported about the physiological and pathophysiological role of mastocyte system. Benign and malignant types, classification of mastocyte proliferation are detailed, several distinct characteristics of clinical appearance, main aspects of diagnosis, therapy and prognosis in patients with different forms of systemic mastocytosis are briefly discussed.