Two cases of trisomy 19 as a sole chromosomal abnormality in myeloid disorders

Trisomy 19 is frequently encountered in cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) as a secondary abnormality: however, trisomy 19 rarely occurs as a sole chromosomal abnormality and, to date, it has only been reported in 48 hematopoietic malignancies, 1 case of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of astrocytic tumor. Here, we report two additional cases of trisomy 19 as a sole karyotypic aberration in myeloid malignancies. One of these cases involved a 6-month-old male who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia minimally differentiated. His karyotype was 47,XY,+19[20]. He expired 5 days after diagnosis. Another case occurred in an 80-yr-old female who had refractory anemia with excess blasts. Her karyotype was 47,XX,+19[16]/46,XX[4]. Four months later, her peripheral blood smears suggested that the disease had progressed, but she refused further evaluation. Based on a review of the existing literature and the results of this report, trisomy 19 not only as a secondary abnormality but also as a sole karyotypic aberration is strongly associated with myeloid disorder; however, it is not preferentially found in specific FAB subgroups of myelodysplasic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia.