The classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) recognizes a subgroup of diseases with recurring genetic abnormalities. Translocation (15; 17) is the marker of acute promyelocitic leukemia (APL) and is associated with good prognosis [1]. 11q23/MLL abnormality has been detected in about 4% of AML [2], but never in APL [3]. 11q23/MLL abnormality is related to a previous treatment with topoisomerase inhibitors and also to a monocytic differentiation of blasts [4]. AML with 11q23/MLL has an adverse prognosis, comparable to AML with unfavourable karyotype. In this letter, we describe a case of AML with t (15; 17) and t (11; 22)(q23; q11. 2) abnormalities; as far as we know, this association has not been reported in literature.

A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of cytopenia. The patient had no history of myelodysplasia, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or toxic drug exposure. Clinical examination was negative. Blood cells count showed anaemia(haemoglobin 8.4 g/dL), leucopenia (0.87 6 109 cells/L) and thrombocytopenia (22 6 109 cells/L). Myeloid blast cells (8%) were found in peripheral blood smear.