Comparative electron-microscopic study of the erythrocytic line in refractory anemia (preleukemia) and myelomonocytic leukemia.

The bone marrow erythrocytic precursors of 12 patients with refractory anemia (preleukemia) or myelomonocytic leukemia were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The results were tabulated in a semiquantitative manner and a comparison was established between the two main diagnostic groups. The following results are reported. 1. Similar nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities of the normoblasts were observed in preleukemia and leukemia. 2. A nuclear lesion consisting of nuclear clefts and blebs was demonstrated in at least some of the normoblasts in all of the patients. Although not specific, this finding appears to be a new contribution in the field of preleukemia and myelomonocytic leukemia. 3. Iron overload, including the presence of pathologic sideroblasts, is common to both preleukemia and leukemia.