Leukemic cell infiltrates were found at autopsy in the tissues of 10 of 15 patients with acute leukemia dying during "complete bone marrow remission." The kidney was the most common site of leukemic cell infiltrates followed by the liver, testes, bowel, lung, central nervous system, and lymph nodes.

These findings indicate that leukemic cells are not completely eradicated by current chemotherapy even in patients in whom no leukemic cells can be identified in the bone marrow.

The distribution of residual leukemic cells demonstrates that the central nervous system is not the only reservoir of leukemic cells in patients during bone marrow remission.

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© 1965 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1965
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