[Acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment with cytostatic agents]

The introduction of high dose chemotherapy of cancer has been followed by an increased incidence of therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

A survey of the literature has shown that these complications have been attributed to a high accumulated dose of alkylating agents, antracyclins and epipodophyllotoxins. The incidence increases after additional irradiation.

After standard doses of leukaemogenic drugs the incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome is reported to be 0-4%, increasing to 8-10% after high dose therapy. At diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, most of the patients have chromosomal abnormalities.

The prognosis of therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome is poor compared to that in primary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.