Chronic myelogenous leukemia: a 22-year survival

A 25-year-old woman presented with classic features of chronic myelogenous leukemia. After 15 months of control with splenic irradiation, rising blood counts necessitated busulfan therapy, producing severe thrombocytopenia which persisted for nearly three years. The patient has remained in complete remission without therapy for 17 years and has now survived 22 years since diagnosis during which blood counts and results of bone marrow examinations and marrow chromosome studies have been normal.