Detection of somatic genetic drivers is important for risk stratification and treatment selection in pediatric leukemias; however, newly recognized genetic markers may not be detected by routine karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To identify the combination of assays that provides the highest detection rate for clinically significant molecular abnormalities, we tested 160 B- lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) by karyotyping, FISH, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and the custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel, OncoKids. In addition, we tested 40 myeloid malignancies with karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and OncoKids; 36/40 myeloid malignancies were also tested with FISH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmune checkpoint inhibitors have recently emerged as important and effective advanced cancer treatment options. Programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) antagonists such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of many advanced cancers. As anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor use has been increasing, previously unreported rare side effects emerge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To assess bone marrow (BM) sampling in academic medical centers.
Methods: Data from 6,374 BM samples obtained in 32 centers in 2001 and 2011, including core length (CL), were analyzed.
Results: BM included a biopsy (BMB; 93%) specimen, aspirate (BMA; 92%) specimen, or both (83%).
Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) present typically with an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and cytogenetic or molecular genetic evidence of t(9;22)/BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. Rarely, CML patients may present with a normal or mildly elevated WBC and are asymptomatic, and we describe 7 patients in this study. The WBC in these patients ranged from 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present a case of angiosarcoma in small bowel, presenting with partial small bowel obstruction in a 79-year-old man with no history of radiation, chemotherapy, toxin exposure, or previous operative intervention. Angiosarcoma of small bowel is a rare entity which may present with nausea, abdominal pain, recurrent bleeding, and usually a history of prior radiation or exposure to specific toxins (polyvinyl chloride). Angiosarcoma of small bowel tends to spread rapidly and has a poor prognosis.
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