title: A reappraisal of routine marrow examination therapy of acute lymphoblasticv leukaemia.
abstract: Out of 557 routine marrow examinations performed in children receiving maintenance therapy, or having completed therapy, for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, only 9 marrow relapses were found. Out of 14 marrow examinations performed because of haematological or clinical indications of possible relapse, only 3 failed to confirm relapse. It is suggested that routine marrow examination to detect relapse is not worthwhile and should be stopped.
mesh_terms: D001856:Bone Marrow Examination; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence