Neurologic complications of leukemia.
OBJECTIVE
As treatment of the leukemias improves, patients are surviving longer. Recognizing and rapidly treating metastatic complications or avoiding neurotoxic therapies improves outcome, reduces morbidity and mortality, and limits long-term sequelae.


RESULTS
Neurologic dysfunction may result from leukemic infiltration of the nervous system or as a consequence of chemotherapy or prophylactic craniospinal irradiation. The present review summarizes common problems in the neurologic complications of leukemia and discusses recent advancements in their diagnosis and treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Topics covered in detail include central nervous system prophylaxis, leptomeningeal metastasis, and common hematologic complications affecting the brain. The findings aid in the clinical management of patients with leukemia.
Demopoulos
Alexis
A
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
DeAngelis
Lisa M
LM
D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D017254:Leukemic Infiltration / Q000150:complications; D018921:Leukostasis / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology