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Summary
Foam cells, potentially Gaucher or transitional types, were found in various leukemia autopsy cases. Acquired lipidoses were more common in younger males with enlarged spleens and longer disease duration.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Foam cells are lipid-laden macrophages observed in various pathological conditions.
- Their presence and morphology in leukemia have been inconsistently reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and morphology of foam cells in autopsy cases of leukemia.
- To correlate foam cell presence with leukemia subtypes and clinical features.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy samples from 73 leukemia cases (1958-1972) were examined.
- Foam cells in spleen, bone marrow, liver, and lymph nodes were identified and classified morphologically.
- Incidence was analyzed across different leukemia subtypes and patient demographics.
Main Results:
- Foam cells were observed in chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, leukemic lymphosarcoma, and acute lymphatic leukemia.
- In acute myeloid leukemia (40 cases), splenic foam cells occurred in 47.5%.
- Acquired lipidoses were more frequent in patients under 19, males, those with enlarged spleens (>400g), and disease duration >4 months.
Conclusions:
- Foam cells in leukemia can be morphologically classified into Gaucher-like and transitional types.
- The presence of foam cells, particularly acquired lipidoses, is associated with specific demographic and clinical factors in acute myeloid leukemia.