BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a neoplasic disorder characterized by the accumulation of mature B lymphocytes CD 5, CD 19 and CD 23 positive. Chromosomal abnormalities have been described in 30% to 50% of the cases by conventional cytogenetics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to describe chromosomal abnormalities detected in Brazilian CLL patients. METHODS: Eighteen cases with CLL selected from our files, in a 4 year period, were studied. The diagnosis was based on morphology and immunophenotype. There were 13 men and 5 women, a 2.6:1 ratio, with 63 median age. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 39% of the cases (7/18). CONCLUSION: The karyotype allowed the identification of different clones in a heterogenous CLL group under morphology and immunophenotype point of view demonstrating that genetic alterations are indicative of a different biological behavior.
CLL; Karyotype; Prognosis
