Common ALL with pre-B-cell features showing (8;14) and (14;18) chromosome translocations

A 21-yr-old man presented with inguinal lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The peripheral blood showed a high blast cell count. The morphological and immunologic features of the blast cells were consistent with the diagnosis of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with 15% pre-B-cells. Banded karyotype analysis of the blood and the marrow cells, using the technique of methotrexate synchronization, revealed the presence of (8;14) and (14;18) chromosome translocations, a finding that has not been previously documented. The significance of these findings is discussed.