Acute monocytic leukemia

 

Acute monocytic leukemia

Just as there are many different types of myeloid cells (neutrophils, red cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils), there are many different types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Two types of AML are composed almost entirely of cells of the monocytic series: acute monoblastic leukemia and acute monocytic leukemia. In both of these types of AML, at least 80% of the leukemic cells are from the monocytic series (monoblasts, promonocytes, and monocytes). In acute monoblastic leukemia, most of these cells are monoblasts, and in acute monocytic leukemia, most of these cells are promonocytes. Promonocytes have a very characteristic appearance, as shown above. They have nuclei that show a delicate folding pattern, almost like a piece of tissue paper that has been crumpled a bit. If you had a case of acute leukemia and most of the cells looked like this, you would think about acute monocytic leukemia – and you’d get an NSE to prove it.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia


Faggot cell in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Some cases of acute leukemia are composed entirely of undifferentiated-appearing blasts. These cases are difficult (or impossible) to diagnose morphologically (under the microscope) – you really need special tests like immunophenotyping in order to make a definitive diagnosis. (more…)

Psammoma bodies

Psammoma bodyOne of the characteristic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma is the presence of psammoma bodies. These are calcifications with an unusual (and pretty) lamellar pattern. (more…)

Non-specific esterase

nse2

When you’re faced with an acute leukemia composed entirely of blasts, one way to figure out the identity of those blasts is to use cytochemical stains. (more…)