Probable Cure of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Following Relapses

THE TREATMENT of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia using current chemotherapy regimens along with radiotherapy and intrathecal chemotherapy for CNS prophylaxis has resulted in a large number of long-term survivors. Most of these patients continue in remission following cessation of three years or more of therapy.¹ However, these successfully treated patients have almost always been in continuous remission since their initial induction treatment at the time of diagnosis. Bone marrow or extramedullary relapse almost always heralds a series of recurrent relapses and progressively shorter remissions in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

A child underwent both testicular and bone marrow relapse at different times and yet subsequently has become apparently cured of his disease. He has been free of all signs of acute lymphocytic leukemia for the 11 years since his last relapse, even though his antileukemic therapy was stopped six years ago. We hope this report will encourage physicians