Treatment and outcome of 103 consecutive patients aged ≥ 60 with de novo acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) were reviewed. Twenty-three cases (22%) were not suitable for induction chemotherapy because of very poor presenting general conditions and could receive supportive care alone. The majority of them died within 1 month. Twenty-eight patients (27%) aged ≥ 70 and/or with concurrent nonhematologic disorders underwent mild induction chemotherapy, which produced 3 complete remissions. The median survival for this group was 2 months. Only 52 patients (50%) were considered eligible for conventional induction chemotherapy. For this group, response rate was 34.5%, the median survival was 3.5 months, and median survival for responding patients was 13 months. Only intensive chemotherapy seems capable of substantially improving prognosis for older ANLL patients. This approach, however, is feasible only in a minority of patients, due to a high incidence of life-threatening complications.

Keywords:
Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, Elderly leukemia, Therapy of acute leukemia
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel
1990
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.