For T cell ALL treated in CR (without transplant), how often do you do BM biopsies as part of surveillance, and for how long?
What would you want community oncologists to know when following these patients? Are there any other special issues to follow especially in AYA?
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution
The role of surveillance bone marrow exams in ALL (either B or T-lineage) is a matter of some debate. Thoughtful clinicians can disagree, but in my practice, I do NOT routinely perform these procedures, instead reserving them for signs or symptoms suspicious for relapse. This is analogous to how the...