[Therapy-related leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: a multi-institution study in Japan]

Therapy-related leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (TRL/MDS) in Japan were analysed in a multi-institution study to assess clinical, cytogenetic aspects, and prognostic factor. From 1985 to 1994, 405 cases of adult TRL/MDS were diagnosed and overall percentage of TRL/MDS in leukemia and MDS was 1.9%. Median age was 61 years old. The median latency from primary malignancies was 53.4 months, which latency was significantly shorter in the patients treated with chemotherapy. Primary malignancies were hematologic in 39%. Common symptoms were fatigue/ weakness and anemia. Chromosome 7,5, and 11 were frequently involved. MLL gene rearrangement were detected in 12 of 64 analysed cases. Overall median survival was 10.0 months. Body weight loss, neurologic abnormality, hypoproteinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, proteinuria, lack of Auer rods, and 5q-were prognostic factors in TRL/MDS. This large population study documented some datas useful for the prevention of TRL/MDS.