Relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 14 years after presentation: use of molecular techniques to confirm true re-emergence.
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 original 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.
Levasseur
M
M
Leukaemia Research Fund Laboratory, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Maung
Z T
ZT
Jackson
G H
GH
Kernahan
J
J
Proctor
S J
SJ
Middleton
P G
PG
D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction