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Relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 14 years after presentation: use of molecular techniques to confirm true re‐emergence
Author(s) -
Levasseur Mark,
Maung Zor T.,
Jackson Graham H.,
Kernahan Jennifer,
Proctor Stephen J.,
Mddleton Peter G.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb04942.x
Subject(s) - medicine , malignancy , disease , pediatrics , acute lymphocytic leukemia , presentation (obstetrics) , lymphoblastic leukemia , oncology , leukemia , immunology , surgery
SUMMARY. Late relapse after successful treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children is well recognized but rare. It is often uncertain whether this represents a true relapse of the original disease or a second malignancy. We present the case of a patient who relapsed 14 years after the original diagnosis of childhood ALL in whom both the orignal leukaemic cells and those taken at relapse had an identical T cell receptor gamma (TCRG) gene rearrangement. This analysis confirms that this relapse is a true re‐emergence of the patient's original disease. The term ‘cure’ should be used with caution in childhood ALL, even after long periods in continuous remission.