title: Long-term survival in acute leukemia. Twenty-two adult patients surviving for over five years.
abstract: An intermittent combination chemotherapy program was initiated in 1971-79 in 172 patients, aged 15-59 years, with acute leukemia (131 myelogenous (AML) and 41 lymphoblastic (ALL]. Sixteen patients with AML and 6 with ALL have survived for more than 5 years. These long-term survivors represent 24% of AML and 18% of ALL patients who obtained complete remission. Twelve patients (10 AML and 2 ALL) are in continuous first remission 5.5-13.5 years after diagnosis. Occasional late relapses up to 9 years after diagnosis make it impossible to declare any individual patient cured.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Evensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stavem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis