Acute erythroleukemia complicating prolonged chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma

Two patients with ovarian carcinoma developed acute erythroleukemia following prolonged chemotherapy with an alkylating agent. An analysis of our patients, together with literature review of similar cases, suggests that the duration of chemotherapy may have been the most important factor in the leukemogenesis. We suggest that the duration of chemotherapy required to achieve a cure in patients with ovarian carcinoma in complete remission can be determined only by prospective controlled trials.