Abstract
A case of long-term survivor of acute promyelocytic leukemia is reported.
The 55-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital on August 20, 1971 because of epistaxis and fever. On physical examination, ecchymoses and petechiae were present on both arms. Marked anemia, moderate leukocytosis and severe thrombocytopenia were noted. Differential counts revealed ninty-two per cent of atypical cells in the peripheral blood and eightysix per cent in the bone marrow. Morphological features of the atypical cells were consistent with those of acute promyelocytic leukemia, though the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was not revealed.
Combination chemotherapy (DCMP) was started immediately, with a large dose of antibiotics. After completing of two courses of DCMP therapy hematological complete remission was obtained, but high fever persisted and unfortunate mycotic infection of lungs was complicated. The shadow of “fungus ball” on chest X-ray dissapeared by using drip infusion of amphotericin-B. Sequential maintenance and intensification chemotherapy were continued till September, 1974.
Since then, the patient is still under complete remission for 5 yrs and 3 mos.
