[Minute chromosomes in a case of chronic Ph1-positive myeloid leukemia]

Minute chromosomes (mins) were found in all bone marrow cells in a 62-year-old woman with Ph1 positive chronic myeloid leukemia. The cells had a range of 39 to 50 chromosomes with a mode of 46. The examined metaphases had a variety of numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities, as well as 2 to 6 minute chromosomes. Our case supports the assumption that there may be a correlation between the presence of mins in leukemias and the resistance of the cells to chemotherapy or the rapid progression of the disease.