Are breakpoints variable on the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q-) in patients with refractory anemia?

A 74-year-old female was referred with a diagnosis of refractory anemia (RA). Direct bone marrow preparation without phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes revealed an abnormal karyotype in 50% of the cells. By RFA technique, it was determined that chromosome 5q had a terminal deletion (band 5q31----qter). A review of cases of RA in which 5q is involved shows that the deleted segment varies from case to case.