Secondary acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) (expressing 11q23 mutation) occurring 11 months after chemotherapy/radiotherapy for paediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

The occurrence of 11q23 cytogenetic abnormalities in drug-induced acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is now well recognized. They are most frequently associated with topoisomerase II inhibitor administration. We here describe the case history of a 15-year-old child who presented with Stage III B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and was treated with anthracyclines, alkylating agents and low-dose mediastinal radiotherapy. She developed an 11q23 mutation-related secondary AML at 11 months after therapy (15 months after her first exposure to drugs; 12 months after the first radiotherapy exposure), possibly the earliest yet reported in a paediatric patient. We discuss this newly recognized early form of refractory, secondary AML and its relationship to chemoradiotherapy.