Cytogenetic pattern in leukemic cells of patients with constitutional chromosome anomalies.

Acquired karyotypic changes analyzed by banding techniques in 21 patients with a malignant hematologic disorder and a major constitutional chromosome anomaly, including ten patients with trisomy 21, five patients with a balanced translocation, and six patients with a sex chromosome anomaly. Detailed karyotypic findings were ascertained in 28 additional patients reported in the literature. Some striking differences were observed in the combined material of the present series and cases previously published as regards (a) distribution of morphological leukemia types among patients with different types of constitutional anomalies, and (b) incidence and type of acquired chromosomal abnormality among patients with different types of constitutional anomalies.