Characteristics and outcomes of acute myelogenous leukemia patients with very late relapse (>5 years)

Abstract

The clinical characteristics and outcome of 15 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who experienced relapse at least 5 years after induction of complete remission (very late-relapse AML) are described. This subgroup represented 3% of all relapsed patients seen at this institution over the same time period. There were eight males in this cohort and the median age at diagnosis was 48 years (range 13 – 77 years). Nine patients had M4/M5 French – American – British (FAB) classification subtype and most had intermediate risk cytogenetics. The median duration of first complete remission (CR-1) was 9 years (range 5.2 – 11.5 years). Thirteen patients (86%) achieved CR-2 with reinduction therapy. The 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival rates of this cohort were 59% and 51%, respectively. We conclude that very late-relapse AML is a rare event, and that reinduction in these patients is associated with very high CR rates and a potential cure fraction.

Keywords:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• late relapses
• normal cytogenetics
• good prognosis
• clinical outcomes