Treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia in the elderly

Current data indicate that most elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia should be treated with intensive chemotherapy. Most should receive remission induction chemotherapy using cytarabine 100 to 200 mg/m2/d by constant intravenous infusion for five to seven days plus daunorubicin greater than or equal to 30 mg/m2/d for three days. Patients in good overall condition with a near-normal performance status may benefit from a more intensive regimen. Patients achieving remission should receive one to three courses of consolidation chemotherapy. Highly debilitated patients have poor results with any form of therapy, and there has been no apparent advantage for low-dose chemotherapy compared to standard treatment regimens. The intensity of chemotherapy treatment must be individualized to the requirements of the patient.