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Long‐term survival in acute leukemia in Argentina. A study of 78 cases
Author(s) -
Pavlovsky Santiago,
Muriel Federico Sackmann
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197710)40:4<1402::aid-cncr2820400407>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - medicine , acute myeloblastic leukemia , leukemia , acute leukemia , lymphoblastic leukemia , bone marrow , surgery , pediatrics
Abstract A total of 78 patients with acute leukemia [69 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 9 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML)] survived more than 4 years. In the years between 1958 and 1967 the number of patients with ALL in Argentina who survived 4 years was 1%. This increased to 21% in the years between 1967 and 1972. The major cause of this increase was the initiation in 1967 of protocols of therapy on a national scale through a cooperative group known as GATLA. In AML patients the number of long‐term survivals remained unchanged during both periods. A large percent of the long‐term survivors had lower WBC, a higher platelet count, and no hepato‐ or splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, or hemorrhagic manifestations at diagnosis. However, only for those patients with a WBC under 100,000/mm 3 at diagnosis was there a significant prognostic implication (p < 0.01). Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who survive more than 4 years without relapse have about an 80% chance of long survival. For those who have lived 4 years with one or more relapses, there is only a 17% chance of long survival, and of these only those who develop extramedullary relapse (CNS or testicular) without bone marrow involvement have a chance of long survival. Patients who live 4 years in continuous complete remission have the same chance of very long survival regardless of previous therapy.