The Effect of Antileukemic Chemotherapy on Elderly patients with Acute Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia

Thirty five elderly patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia were studied to examine the effects of antileukemic chemotherapy according to age group. Complete remissions were obtained in 5 of 10 patients (50%) age 60 to 69 years, in 5 of 14 (36%) age 70 to 79 years, but in 0 of 9 patients over 80 years. Three patients died before chemotherapy. The median survivals of these groups were 337, 90 and 76 days, respectively. The median survival of the patients in whom complete remissions were achieved, was 700 days.