It is possible for leukemia to relapse after 20 years. However, it is much more likely for leukemia to relapse in the first few years after the initial diagnosis or remission.
Some research reports leukemia relapses after 10 years or more following the first diagnosis or remission.
In some cases, there are reports of relapses after 20 years or more, although this appears to be less common.
This article looks at how common a leukemia relapse after 20 years may be, symptoms to look for, and when to contact a doctor.
![A person who may have already had leukemia discussing relapse after 20 years with a doctor.-2](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/leukemia-relapse-GettyImages-1367871743-Header-1024x575.jpg)
It may be possible for leukemia to relapse after 20 years or more, although it is unclear how likely this may be.
Research suggests a leukemia relapse is
Relapse rates may vary depending on various factors, such as the type of leukemia and treatments.
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The case report notes that there is a risk of relapse years after receiving transplantation. In this case, treatment with imatinib (Gleevec) was successful. Researchers note the importance of long-term follow-up to monitor for signs of relapse.
According to a 2023 study, late relapse of acute leukemia occurring more than 2 years after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is rare, occurring in 4.5% of cases.
According to a
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Some researchers consider very late relapse to be more than 10 years after complete remission. The study cites older research, which reported 12 cases of very late relapse out of 1,134 children.
The 2021 study included 1,280 people with ALL receiving treatment between 2000 and 2020. Out of 36 cases of late or very late relapse, 12 people had a first relapse 10 years or later following the initial diagnosis.
According to a
The symptoms of a leukemia relapse may be similar to initial leukemia symptoms, such as:
- fatigue
- anemia
- weakness
- feeling short of breath
- recurrent infections, such as:
- mouth sores
- fever
- sweats
- coughing
- infected cuts
- sore throat
- increased bruising and bleeding
- bone pain
- skin rashes
- tender, swollen gums
- headaches
- vision problems
- enlarged lymph glands
- vomiting
- chest pain
- abdominal pain
If people notice any leukemia symptoms after having treatment for leukemia, they should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
People can also speak with their doctor about their specific risk for leukemia relapse, as relapse may depend on factors
- characteristics of the cancer
- individual risk factors
- type of treatment
A person can also discuss what signs to look out for and what follow-up checks they require.
What is the survival rate for a second-time leukemia patient?
According to a
In people with relapsed AML after HSCT, the 3-year survival rate is approximately
Survival rates represent the amount of people from a specific group who are still alive after a certain period following diagnosis or treatment. Survival rates cannot accurately predict an individual’s life expectancy, but may help to give an idea.
Can leukemia come back after a bone marrow transplant?
It is possible for leukemia to come back after a bone marrow transplant. Research from 2023 suggests the rate of acute leukemia returning more than 2 years after allogeneic HSCT is 4.2%.
Relapse of AML after allogeneic HSCT may occur in
How long can someone live with leukemia without knowing?
Symptoms of acute leukemia can develop suddenly, while symptoms of chronic leukemia can develop gradually over
Leukemia may return after 20 years, but it is unclear how common this is. Relapse may depend on the type of leukemia and treatment.
It may be more common for leukemia to relapse within the first few years after the initial diagnosis or complete remission. It is possible for leukemia to return after 10 years or more, but research suggests this is less common.
It is important to attend any follow-ups with a healthcare team after leukemia treatment and to contact a doctor as soon as possible if people notice symptoms of leukemia relapse.