Infiltration of central nervous system in adult acute myeloid leukaemia

Out of 64 consecutive unselected patients with acute myeloid leukaemia studied during 1973-6, five developed clinical evidence of spread to the central nervous system (CNS). Neuroradiological examination showed cerebral deposits in three, in whom rapid symptomatic relief was obtained with radiothera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ 1979-01, Vol.1 (6158), p.227-229
Main Authors: Pippard, M J, Callender, S T, Sheldon, P W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Blasts
Bone marrow
Brain Neoplasms - diagnosis
Brain Neoplasms - mortality
Brain Neoplasms - pathology
Central nervous system
Central nervous system diseases
Cranial irradiation
Disease remission
Female
Humans
Leukemia
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - diagnosis
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - mortality
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Myeloid leukemia
Nervous system diseases
Prognosis
Relapse
Time Factors
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Out of 64 consecutive unselected patients with acute myeloid leukaemia studied during 1973-6, five developed clinical evidence of spread to the central nervous system (CNS). Neuroradiological examination showed cerebral deposits in three, in whom rapid symptomatic relief was obtained with radiotherapy. In two of these patients who developed solid intracranial deposits haematological remission could be reinduced or maintained; they were still alive 86 and 134 weeks later. When patients presented with spread to the CNS complicating generalised uncontrolled leukaemia they had short survivals. CNS infiltration may respond dramatically to appropriate treatment provided that it is not associated with generalised uncontrolled leukaemia, which has a poor prognosis. In view of this, routine "prophylaxis" of the CNS in adult acute myeloid leukaemia does not seem justified at present.
ISSN:0007-1447
0959-8138
1468-5833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.1.6158.227