Recurrent isolated extramedullary relapses as granulocytic sarcomas following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1998 Jan;21(2):205-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701043.

Abstract

Isolated extramedullary relapses as granulocytic sarcomas (GS) following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are rare events. We describe three such patients who presented with a unique pattern of GS relapse post-BMT. The clinical features included repeated relapses in multiple sites, absence of marrow involvement, and prolonged survival. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated persistence of donor hematopoiesis despite disseminated GS. The findings indicated that a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect might operate more strongly in the marrow than in peripheral sites. Finally, our observations suggest that isolated GS relapses after BMT might be compatible with long survivals, and that in patients with marrow hematopoiesis of donor origin, augmentation of the GVL effect might be of use.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation* / pathology
  • Chimera / genetics
  • Female
  • Graft Survival
  • Graft vs Host Disease
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Male
  • Recurrence
  • Transplantation, Homologous