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©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2009; 15(44): 5624-5625
Published online Nov 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5624
Published online Nov 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5624
Acute myelogenous leukemia and acute leukemic appendicitis: A case report
Po-Jen Hsiao, Pau-Ling Chu, Shih-Hua Lin, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 114 Taipei, Taiwan, China
Shih-Ming Kuo, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 114 Taipei, Taiwan, China
Jia-Hong Chen, Hsuen-Fu Lin, Ching-Liang Ho, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 114 Taipei, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: Hsiao PJ, Kuo SM, Chen JH, Lin HF, Chu PL, Lin SH, and Ho CL contributed equally to this work; Hsiao PJ and Kuo SM wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ching-Liang Ho, Division of Hematology/Onology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Road, Neihu District, 114 Taipei, Taiwan, China. doc20443@yahoo.com.tw
Telephone: +886-2-87923311-13524 Fax: +886-2-87927379
Received: August 14, 2009
Revised: October 14, 2009
Accepted: October 21, 2009
Published online: November 28, 2009
Revised: October 14, 2009
Accepted: October 21, 2009
Published online: November 28, 2009
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) can involve the gastrointestinal tract but rarely involves the appendix. We report a male patient who had 1 year partial remission from AML and who presented with apparent acute appendicitis as the initial manifestation of leukemia relapse. Pathological findings of the appendix revealed transmural infiltrates of myeloblasts, which indicated a diagnosis of leukemia. Unfortunately, the patient died from progression of the disease on the 19th d after admission. Although leukemic cell infiltration of the appendix is uncommon, patients with leukemia relapse can present with symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis.