Leukemic relapse 5 1/2 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A 13-yr-old male with acute myelogenous leukemia was treated with various chemotherapy regimens for 3 1/2 yr and then underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The donor marrow was successfully engrafted, and the patient remained in remission free of all chemotherapy. Then, 5 1/2 yr later, he developed an extramedullary relapse with a chloroma of his maxillary sinus. This case illustrates the need for prolonged followup of transplant recipients and suggest that statements proposing cure as a result of this procedure may be premature.