Newly emerged clonal cytogenetic abnormalities (CCA) in patients with prior cytotoxic therapy are highly concerning for therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN). In some patients, however, CCA appeared to be clinically "silent". In this study, we describe 25 patients who developed CCA after they received cytotoxic therapies for lymphoid neoplasms but never developed t-MN. These clinically "silent" CCA were always present as single abnormalities, often detected in a small subset of cells, and tended to disappear over time. We conclude that the occurrence of CCA is not always associated with t-MN. Clinical correlation is essential to guide a proper management of these patients.
Keywords: Bone marrow; Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities; Cytotoxic therapy; Silent; Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms.
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