Three children, two from the Middle East and one from Greece, presented to this clinic for treatment of malignant facial tumours destroying bone. In each case biopsy histology led to an initial diagnosis of 'lymphoma'. Further characterisation of the tumour cells by cytochemistry and immunophenotyping established diagnoses of acute myeloid leukaemia, with myeloblasts in all three cases expressing lymphoid associated cell surface antigens. The possibility of granulocytic sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial tumours showing 'lymphomatous' morphology. The prognostic significance of this presentation 'syndrome' is discussed.

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