AUTOLOGOUS BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR EXTRAMEDULLARY RELAPSE IN CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA

The role of autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in childhood ALL after an isolated extramedullary (IE) relapse is controversial. B etween December 1984 and November 1995, 52 children underwent ABMT bec ause of an IE relapse. The data were stored in the AIEOP-BMT Registry. Thirty four children were transplanted in 2nd CR; eighteen > 2nd CR. The median duration of 1st CR was 24 (range 3-69) and 18 (range 3-59) months, respectively. The median interval from last CR to ABMT was 6 ( range 1-28) and 3 (range 1-81) months, respectively. The 5 year EFS fo r patients transplanted in 2nd CR was 67.7%, while the 3 year EFS for patients in > 2nd CR was 16.7%. In conclusion, ABMT was an effective t reatment in early IE relapse only if performed in 2nd CR.