A retrospective study comparing demographics, cytogentic findings, and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia with and without leukemia cutis

Abstract

6695 Background: Historically patients with skin infiltration by leukemic cells (Leukemia Cutis, LC) carried a poor prognosis. However, it is not clear if this is solely because of LC or other high-risk features commonly observed in these patients. Our objective was to determine if LC is independently associated with poor prognosis when controlled for other high-risk features. Methods: We identified AML patients with histologically confirmed LC and matched controls (matched for age, sex, year of diagnosis, and treatment) from 1990–2003 using Cleveland Clinic Department of Anatomic Pathology database and tumor registry. Medical charts were reviewed. Demographic, hematologic, and cytogenetic findings, and prognosis were compared. Results: Sixteen AML patients with histologically confirmed LC and 28 matched control patients were identified. Baseline characteristics and other high- risk features did not differ between the two groups (Table 1). No patient from either group had good-risk cytogenetics[t(8;21), inv (16), t(15;17)]. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups among complete remission rates after initial therapy (p=0.75). Median survival for LC patients was 5.0 months compared to 6.9 months for matched control patients (p=0.48, log rank test). Conclusions: Contrary to previous studies, no statistically significant difference in prognosis was found between the two groups. Older age and adverse cytogenetics at presentation and prior hematologic disorder may explain the poor overall median survival in this cohort. When controlled for other risk factors LC by itself does not correlate with worst prognosis in AML. No significant financial relationships to disclose.