Long-term survival in acute leukemia. Twenty-two adult patients surviving for over five years

An intermittent combination chemotherapy program was initiated in 1971-79 in 172 patients, aged 15-59 years, with acute leukemia (131 myelogenous (AML) and 41 lymphoblastic (ALL]. Sixteen patients with AML and 6 with ALL have survived for more than 5 years. These long-term survivors represent 24% of AML and 18% of ALL patients who obtained complete remission. Twelve patients (10 AML and 2 ALL) are in continuous first remission 5.5-13.5 years after diagnosis. Occasional late relapses up to 9 years after diagnosis make it impossible to declare any individual patient cured.