Simultaneous occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute myeloblastic leukemia: fact or myth?

A careful search of the literature disclosed 22 cases of the simultaneous occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute leukemia. An additional eight cases of macroglobulinemia and acute leukemia have also been described. Critical review of these reports, however, suggests that the concomitant occurrence of myeloma or Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia is quite uncommon and probably represents a coincidental or chance association.