Isolated testicular relapse in boys with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: treatment and outcome

In 22 boys among a group of 169 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia the first relapse occurred in the testis. In 14 of these late isolated testicular relapse was detected on routine biopsy or became apparent after treatment was electively stopped. Eleven of these boys were treated with reinduction, irradiation of 2400 rads to both testicles, intrathecal methotrexate, and two years of chemotherapy; 10 remained well and were in second complete remission from two and a half to five and a half years later. It is concluded that boys with late isolated testicular relapse fare better than those with late marrow relapse and may have a change of long-term disease-free survival.