SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION OF MYELODYSPLASTIC CYTOGENETIC ABNORMALITY DEVELOPED DURING THE TREATMENT OF LEUKEMIA

Purpose: We describe the spontaneous resolution of a myelodysplastic c ytogenetic abnormality developing during the treatment of acute lympho cytic leukemia. Patients and Methods: A 6-year-old girl with acute lym phocytic leukemia had a clinical picture of myelodysplasia 18 months a fter diagnosis. The clonal cytogenetic abnormality, 46,XX,del(5)(q12q1 2), resolved spontaneously 4 months after the discontinuation of chemo therapy. Maintenance chemotherapy was resumed 1 month later and contin ued for an additional 9 months. Currently, she has been off therapy fo r 10 months. Conclusion: A myelodysplastic clonal cytogenetic abnormal ity developing during treatment may cause some confusion for managemen t. This study demonstrates that spontaneous resolution is possible and that bone marrow transplantation or other intensive treatment may not be necessary.