Marked hypophosphatemia associated with acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Indirect evidence of phosphorus uptake by leukemic cells

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Abstract
A 51 yr old man was seen with the diagnosis of acute meylomonocytic leukemia. The WBC [white blood cell] count was 380,000/.mu.l at presentation. The serum P concentration was 0.4 mg/dl and 0.2 mg/dl prior to any P replacement. Urinary P excretion was too low to be measured. The patient did not demonstrate any of the usual causes of profound hypophosphatemia with hypophosphaturia. The parathyroid glands were normal at necropsy. Reasons for believing the profound hypophosphatemia was due to P uptake by the leukemic cells are discussed.