Clonal evolution in primary 5q-syndrome.

Primary 5q-syndrome is a type of myelodysplastic syndrome characterized by refractory anemia, thrombocytosis, and hypolobulated megakaryocytes. The risk of leukemic transformation is low. A case of 5q- syndrome that occurred in a 42-year-old woman and was complicated by leukemic transformation 7 years after the initial diagnosis is reported. An additional clonal karyotypic anomaly, del(7q), was seen in the leukemic cells. The literature on leukemic and karyotypic evolution of primary 5q- syndrome is reviewed and the implication of karyotypic evolution is discussed.