Prognostic significance of blood and marrow findings in acute myelogenous leukemia in remission. A Southeastern Cancer Study Group report.
Bone marrow and peripheral blood findings at the time of complete remission were analyzed in 333 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia to determine if any variables were predictive for remission duration and survival. Patients were categorized as to percentage of blasts, promyelocytes, erythroid precursors and lymphocytes in the marrow and hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte and platelet counts, and percentage of granulocytes and blasts in the blood. Additionally, the degree of cellularity in the marrow aspirate and biopsy were analyzed. Patients with less than 1% blasts in the marrow had significantly longer remission durations than those with blasts greater than or equal to 1% (P less than 0.01). Those with hypercellular marrows had significantly shorter remission (P less than 0.05) and survival (P less than 0.01). The transient presence of more than 3% blasts in the blood also was suggestive of a shorter remission duration and survival. The presence of less than 1% blasts in the marrow, normal or decreased biopsy cellularity, and no anemia at the time of remission defined a "good" prognostic group. The quality of remission should be assessed in evaluating the results of therapy and assigning further treatment.
Vogler
W R
WR
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
Raney
M R
MR
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D013223:Statistics as Topic