Clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of 118 cases of myeloid sarcoma

Myeloid sarcoma is a rare manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with poor overall survival (OS). The optimal treatment remains unclear. The study retrospectively evaluated 118 patients with myeloid sarcoma who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2010 to July 2021. All cases were diagnosed by tissue biopsy. 41 patients underwent genetic mutation analysis. The most frequent genetic mutations were KIT (16.6%), followed by TET2 (14.6%), and NRAS (14.6%). The median survival time of 118 patients was 4 months (range, 1–51 months), while the median survival time of 11 patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was 19 months (range, 8–51 months). 4 (36.4%) of the 11 patients experienced relapse within 1 year after transplantation. 1 patient died from a severe infection. Of the 6 surviving patients, 5 patients have received maintenance treatment with decitabine after transplantation, and all remained in a state of recurrence-free survival. Patients with myeloid sarcoma have a very unfavorable outcome. Allo-HSCT is an effective treatment option. Recurrence remains the main cause of transplant failure. Maintenance treatment with decitabine after transplantation can prolong the recurrence-free survival time, although these results must be verified in a study with expanded sample size.

Leukemia in gastrointestinal organs as cause of treatment failure: 378 cases analyzed

Leukemia growing as tumors in gastrointestinal organs is an under-investigated cause of treatment failure and death. These present with symptoms often mistaken for common toxicities but may grow large before symptoms. To synthesize experience available only in case reports, 378 were analyzed. Invasive and metastatic behavior typical of solid GI tumors was revealed even when marrow was uninvolved. Within 3 months of diagnosis, 33% had died, 47% within 1 year. Survivals of 4 to 18 years after involvement suggest cure is possible. Evidence is presented that combined local and systemic therapy has successfully treated GI leukemic tumors when identified early.

Long-Term Remission following Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Multiple Nonleukemic Myeloid Sarcoma and a Review of the Literature

Multiple nonleukemic myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare form of MS that is developed in multiple anatomic sites other than bone marrow at diagnosis, without a preceding myeloid neoplasm. The prevalence, prognosis, and optimal management of multiple nonleukemic MS have not been addressed. The role of allogenic or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for nonleukemic MS is also less well defined. We present a case of MS characterized by systemic lymphadenopathies and multiple effusions, which presumably had a very poor prognosis. The patient was treated with acute myeloid leukemia-type induction chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, and, unexpectedly, she has remained disease free for more than 6 years. We also reviewed the literature on this rare disease, and found that multiple nonleukemic MS was associated with younger age and a worse prognosis when compared with the overall nonleukemic MS population. We suggest that autologous HCT represents a valid option for young patients with chemosensitive disease and should be performed at the status of minimal residual disease-negative complete remission.

18 FDG-PET/CT: 21st century approach to leukemic tumors in 124 cases

Extramedullary tumors remain an obstacle to curing more acute leukemia patients. Their incidence is unknown because the presence of occult tumors that contribute to relapse is not routinely sought as in other cancers. No standard approach exists for treating tumors at most sites, apparent clinical response is typically followed by further tumors, and achievement of lengthy remission is uncommon. Body scanning with (18) FDG PET/CT now provides a means to identify the extent of occult tumors that enables directed tumor eradication and a way to evaluate tumor response. To evaluate its potential benefits, analysis was undertaken of 124 published cases scanned after apparent tumors were diagnosed. Clinical and radiologic exams underestimated extent of disease in over half of 100 cases. Among 70 cases that reported scans after various treatments, 70% achieved negative scans. Half relapsed subsequently but disease-free survivals up to 6 years were documented. These reported cases add to our knowledge of extramedullary leukemia in showing that further tumors are more likely than marrow relapse, clinical and radiologic evaluation of response is inadequate, intensive chemotherapy alone generally does not prevent progression and is associated with significant mortality, and tumor-directed plus systemic therapies appears the most effective approach, particularly to AML tumors. This analysis suggests this technology could increase our ability to eradicate all foci of leukemia, and identify tumors responsible for refractory, residual, and relapsed disease.