Spontaneous cure of end-stage acute nonlymphocytic leukemia complicated with chloroma (granulocytic sarcoma)

Spontaneous regression of end-stage acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) complicated with chloroma (granulocytic sarcoma) was observed in a child after the patient had been sent home for terminal care. The patient was initially found to have the 8;21 translocation and has survived without any evidence of disease 101 months after the initial diagnosis and 80 months after the discontinuation of all therapy. Spontaneous regression of a wide variety of tumors has been reported, but this observed case has no features in common with those cases. Special implications of this case are discussed.