Translocation t(11;19) (q23;p13) in a child with myelomonocytic leukemia following 2 years after chemotherapy for pneumoblastoma

Abstract

A child, who received successful chemotherapy for pneumoblastoma, developed a myelomonocytic leukemia with translocation t(11;19)(q23;p13) 2 years later. Although this leukemia did not present with features generally associated with therapy-related leukemias, we think this hematologic disease to be secondary to previous chemotherapy. Involvement of chromosome 11q23 is common in acute leukemia and seems to be more significantly related to ANLL in young children (M4 and M5 FAB classification). However, our observation and previous reports suggest that this chromosomal abnormality might be more frequent in therapy-related leukemias. The responsibility of etoposide and cisplatin may be discussed in such secondary malignancies.