Therapy of acute leukaemia in adults. A retrospective study of a non-selected group of 146 patients
van der Weide, M.; Bon, G.G.; Huijgens, P.C.; Ossenkoppele, G.J.; Langenhuijsen, M.M.
Netherlands Journal of Medicine 30(1-2): 54-63
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-2977 PMID: 3295571 Document Number: 298231
In a retrospective study, we reviewed data of 146 patients with acute leukaemia (acute myeloid leukaemia 119, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 23, acute undifferentiated leukaemia 4), who were refferd to our hospital between August 1976 and August 1985. A complete remission was achieved in 58 out of 123 patients who embarked on treatment (47%). When we excluded patients who died within 4 wk after starting treatment, the remission rate was 54%. Median remission length was 29 wk, median survival for patients who achieved remission was 62 wk. Four patients were still alive and in remission more than 2 yr after diagnosis. The complete remission rate differed significantly in patients under and over the age of 60 (57% versus 28%). Remission length was not dependent on age. No significant differences in complete remission rate were found in FAB-subgroups in AML. Supportive care and complications encountered during remission induction therapy are discussed.