The erythropoietic part of the bone marrow has been morphologically analysed in 34 untreated, anaemic patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and in 17 healthy controls. In the patients with leukaemia the percentage of basophilic erythroblasts was abnormally high and elevated mitotic indices of the erythroblasts were recorded. The accumulation of basophilic erythroblasts and a high frequency of megaloblastoid changes of the cells may indicate ineffective erythropoiesis. A threefold increase of ‘erythroblastic islands’, i. e. erythroblasts in contact with reticulum cells were recorded in the patients with erythroleukaemia and a twofold increase in the patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The erythroblastic islands may indicate phagocytosis of defective erythroblasts and an intramedullary haemolysis may thus contribute to the development of anaemia.

Keywords:
Anaemia in leukaemia, Erythroblastic islands, Erythropoiesis, Leukaemia
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1975 S. Karger AG, Basel
1975
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.