Flow cytometry in the differential diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Daniela Castilho de Mendonça

ABSTRACT

The acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant neoplasm that occurs through the clonal proliferation and accumulation of cells that display cellular markers associated with the early stages of aging of undifferentiated lymphoid cells (lymphoblastic). These cells largely accumulate in the bone marrow, thymus, and lymph nodes and replace the normal population. In Brazil, around 20% of ALL are precursors of T cells, 75% of B cells and only 5% of mature B cells. A common neoplasm in childhood, corresponding to 30-35% of leukemia cases, with its peak incidence between 2 and 5 years of age and four times more frequent than acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in adulthood it is more common to appear after 60 years of age. Among children, the disease is more common in those who are white and male. The diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is made through analysis of the presence of lymphoblastic in the bone marrow, cytochemical reactions, cytogenetic and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. The goal of this work is to show in a clear and objective way the importance of flow cytometry in the diagnosis of the disease.

Key Words:Leukemias; Immunophenotyping;Flow Citometry;Differential diagnosis;ALL