Spontaneous Remission In Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia
New York State Journal of Medicine 85(6): Jun 1985; 269-270
View Original Source →Abstract
Between 1967 and 1979 the authors observed 56 cases of hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Twenty patients are still alive and five of them are in good health over ten years after diagnosis. Two out of these five patients never received any specific treatment. The aim of this communication is to report these two cases of spontaneous remission in HCL.
Case Details
Clinical Characteristics
Patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia was so acutely ill that chemotherapy had to be withheld until the overwhelming bacterial infection could be brought under control
Remission Characteristics
As the infection responded, a simultaneous improvement was noted in his hematologic picture as well as a partial remission in the bone marrow
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Nonspecific stimulation of the immune system by the infection might play a major role in inducing remission
Clinical Treatment
Attempts were made to manipulate the immune system artificially by such techniques as injection of malarial parasites, the use of m turberculosum or methanolextracted residue
Additional Notes
These measures have not resulted in any sustained benefit to date, and their use has been restricted to a few specialized centers