Originally the term chloroma was applied to these tumors because of their green color.
However, because such tumors often have no distinct coloration, the term granulocytic
sarcoma has been suggested by Rappaport and appears to be more appropriate.
Granulocytic sarcoma may develop during the course of, as a presenting sign of,
myelogenous leukemia, rarely preceding myelogenous leukemia with uniformly fatal
course.
This report describes 8 cases of granulocytic sarcoma associated with myelocytic
leukemia, which were collected over a period of 10 years from December 1973 through
May 1982.
Out of 8 cases, 4 were male and 4 female with sex ratio of 1 : 1. Age distribution
was at ages 8∼54 years(mean:33.8 years). The locations of granutocytic sarcoma were
orbit(3 cases), lymph node(3 cases), vagina(1 case), cervix(1 case), breast(1 case), and
mediastinum(1 case). In 2 of 8 cases the granulocytic sarcoma was diagnosed
simultaneously with acute myelogenous leukemia. In 4 cases the solid tumor appears
from several days to several months preceding blood and marrow evidence of acute
leukemia. One case of chronic myelogenous leukemia presented with lymph node
enlargement. In one case the granulocytic sarcoma occurred in the absence of acute
leukemia. In 4 of 8 cases with granulocytic sarcoma, radiation plus chemotherapy were
given with the response of partial regression. Two cases had received chemotherapy
alone, one case showing partial regression ane no response in another case. The case
with uterine cervical lesion responded, completely cured with radiation plus
chemotherapy after removal of mass. In 7 cases with peripheral blood and marrow
involvement were treated with chemotherapy, and then hematologic partial remission
were obtained.
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