Chronic myelocytic leukemia in a young renal allografted patient
Stein, A.M.; Anthone, R.; Anthone, S.; Marinello, M.J.; Elwood, C.M.; Bannerman, R.M.
Transplantation 26(4): 271-273
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-1337 PMID: 360530 Document Number: 127193
The appearance of chronic myelocytic leukemia [CML] (Philadelphia chromosome positive) in a young man with a renal allograft 1 1/2 yr after transplant is described. The circumstances suggest that the leukemic state may have predated the transplant and later became overt during immunosuppressive treatment. Although at first a possible role of the allograft or the immunosuppressive therapy was considered as a cause for the development of CML, this explanation can be excluded. Little is known about the latent or preleukemic phase of CML, especially its duration. In this case there was increased myeloid actvity in the marrow over 3 yr before the onset of clinically evident CML. Immunosuppressive therapy may have influenced or accelerated the progression of leukemia. The disease entered a final malignant phase 5 yr after the 1st evidence of bone marrow abnormality.