Therapy related Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 8 Years after Treatment for Hodgkin\'s Disease – A Case Report

Abstract

Hodgkin's Disease (HD) is a curable malignancy even in Nigeria, our limitations in health care delivery notwithstanding. However, secondary malignancies especially Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) may occur as late complications following alkylating cytotoxic drugs therapy, with or without radiotherapy. This is a case report of a 52-year-old man who (between 1983-1985) received 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy, namely Mustine Hydrochloride, Oncovine, Procarbazine, Prednisolone (MOPP), and then 6 cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of Cyclophosphamide, Oncovine, Procarbazine and Prednisolone (COPP) followed by 2 doses of Adriamycin. He developed AML 8 years after complete remission. The possibility of the development of secondary malignancies as late complication of cytotoxic drug therapy should be discussed with patients receiving these drugs and long-term follow-up should be mandatory.

KEY WORDS: Hodgkin's Disease, secondary malignancy, acute myeloid leukaemia, alkylating cytotoxic drugs and long-term follow up.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 14-16