[Recurrence with gonadic localization of acute leukemia. 113 cases].

Amongst 1500 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, affecting both sexes, the authors noted 111 testicular recurrences and 2 ovarian recurrences, i.e. an incidence of 16 percent. Clinical diagnosis is easy and testicular needle biopsy was reserved for doubtful cases only. Amongst 12 lymphographies, only one showed lumbar node involvement. Testicular involvement may exist before, after or in association with a bone marrow or a meningeal relapse. In 47 cases the first signal recurrence was a testicular tumour. The majority of these recurrences occured during the first two years of the disease, but late recurrences affecting the gonads are possible. Mean survival after an isolated testicular recurrence was 14 months, identical with meningeal recurrences. General chemotherapy and local radiotherapy were in general followed by an in situ or contralateral recurrence. Bilateral irradiation at a dose of 2400 rads is the best local treatment. However, in the light of the frequency of bone marrow recurrences a short time after, intensification of general treatment is necessary.