Philadelphia chromosome in a patient of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) arises from blasts committed to T cell lineage at varying stages of maturation. It mostly occurs in later part of childhood, adolescence and in young adults. Patient usually presents to clinician with cytopenias, lymphadenopathy and organomegaly. Common symptoms and signs include, fatigue, generalized weakness, recurrent infections, bruising, bleeding complaints, pleural effusion, mediastinal mass, central nervous system, testicular, skin and bone involvement. The incidence of Philadelphia chromosome in T lineage ALL is less than 1%. We present a case of T cell ALL in which Philadelphia chromosome was detected. Morphology and immunophenotyping were also consistent with T cell ALL.
Key Words: Philadelphia chromosome, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia