Preleukaemic conditions

Many genetic conditions manifesting in childhood are known to increase the likelihood of acute leukaemia. These include:

• Fanconi's anaemia
• Ataxia telangiectasia
• Neurofibromatosis
• Down's syndrome

The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown but may involve tumor suppresor oncogenes or defective DNA repair genes.

Sickle-cell disease is an autosomal inherited condition. It is not a preleukaemic condition even when patients have been treated with antimetabolite agents like Hydroxyurea for modifying the disease process.