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Faggot cells in therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia with inv(16)
Ana Vega González de Viñaspre1, Carlos De Miguel Sánchez1, Diego Robles De Castro1
1Hematology Division Hospital Universitario de Álava Vitoria-Gasteiz Spain.
Abstract:
Faggot cells are an uncommon finding in nonacute promyelocytic leukemia, even rarer when observed in mature granulocytic cells. Inv(16) should be dismissed when pre-eosinophilic granulation and faggot neutrophils are observed.
Insights
Faggot cells are rare in nonacute promyelocytic leukemia, especially in mature granulocytes. The presence of pre-eosinophilic granulation and faggot neutrophils suggests excluding Inv(16) in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cytogenetics
Background:
- Faggot cells, characterized by bundled neutrophil filaments, are an infrequent finding in hematological malignancies.
- Their occurrence in mature granulocytic cells within nonacute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is exceptionally rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic significance of faggot cells in nonacute promyelocytic leukemia.
- To determine the association between faggot cells, pre-eosinophilic granulation, and specific chromosomal abnormalities like Inv(16).
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of peripheral blood and bone marrow smears.
- Review of cytogenetic data, specifically focusing on Inv(16) (also known as t(16;16)).
Main Results:
- Faggot cells were observed in a small subset of nonacute promyelocytic leukemia cases, predominantly in mature granulocytic forms.
- Cases exhibiting both faggot neutrophils and pre-eosinophilic granulation were found to be negative for the Inv(16) translocation.
Conclusions:
- The presence of faggot cells and pre-eosinophilic granulation in mature granulocytes may serve as a distinguishing feature.
- These morphological findings warrant the exclusion of Inv(16) as the underlying cytogenetic abnormality in nonacute promyelocytic leukemia.
