Elderly acute leukemia: report of 40 cases

Between 1989 and 1996, 40 cases with acute leukemia [16 males and 24 females] were diagnosed in out institution. Median age was 65 years [range, 56- 88 years]. Leukocyte count was more than 30.109/1 in 42 percent of cases. According to the French-American-British [FAB] criteria, 11 cases were classified lymphoblastic and 29 myeloblastic. Sixteen patients have received palliative treatment because of there age and there bad performance status. Only 24 patients have received curative treatment. Complete remission was achieved in 12 cases [50 percent], 5 cases [20 percent] failed to respond and 7 [30 percent] died during induction. Relapse was observed in 8 cases. The 2-year survival rate was 10 percent confirming the worse prognosis of the acute leukemia in elderly