OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic and clinical features of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and near-tetraploidy/tetraploidy (NT/T) karyotype.

METHODSCytogenetic findings of 1836 cases of primary AML were retrospectively analyzed. Karyotypes of the identified cases were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Clinical data including gender, age, morphology, immunophenotype, genetics, and prognosis were reviewed.

RESULTSNine male and two female patients with NT/T were identified with a median age of 63 years. Microscopically, the patients were characterized by large blasts and irregular nuclear contours. All patients expressed CD34, and nine of them expressed HLA-DR. Ten patients had complete remission during the first course of treatment. One patient showed primary drug resistance.

CONCLUSIONNT/T AML primarily occurs in elder males and has a characteristic morphology and genetics. The prognosis is better than AML patients with complex karyotypes.