Spontaneous resolution of myelodysplastic cytogenetic abnormality developed during the treatment of leukemia.

Purpose: We describe the spontaneous resolution of a myelodysplastic cytogenetic abnormality developing during the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Patients And Methods: A 6-year-old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia had a clinical picture of myelodysplasia 18 months after diagnosis. The clonal cytogenetic abnormality, 46,XX,del(5)(q12q12), resolved spontaneously 4 months after the discontinuation of chemotherapy. Maintenance chemotherapy was resumed 1 month later and continued for an additional 9 months. Currently, she has been off therapy for 10 months.

Conclusion: A myelodysplastic clonal cytogenetic abnormality developing during treatment may cause some confusion for management. This study demonstrates that spontaneous resolution is possible and that bone marrow transplantation or other intensive treatment may not be necessary.