A Current View on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Some Rare Acute Leukemia Variants

Abstract

Basic discoveries in immunobiology of normal hematopoiesis, emerging views on malignant growth mechanisms together with further improvement of diagnostic capabilities led to a crucial change in perception of leukemiology as one of separate important areas of modern clinical onco-hematology. The now available detailed molecular genetic classification of acute leukemias is being complemented by new disease variants. New categories of acute leukemias and progenitor cell tumors have been identified. Nevertheless, many issues related to pathogenesis and classification of some variants of this heterogeneous disease remain unsolved and require further study. The present review provides thorough analysis of some rare variants of acute leukemias which are particularly challenging in terms of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and choice of treatment.