LEUKEMIC RELAPSE 5 1/2 YEARS AFTER ALLOGENEIC BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

A 13 yr old male with acute myelogenous leukemia was treated with various chemotherapy regimens for 3 1/2 yr, then underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The donor marrow was successfully engrafted, and the patient remained in remission, free of all chemotherapy. Then, 5 1/2 yr later, he developed an extramedullary relapse with a chloroma of his maxillary sinus. This case illustrates the need for prolonged follow-up of transplant recipients and suggests that statements proposing cure as a result of this procedure may be premature.