Acute nonlymphoid leukemia

Acute nonlymphoid leukemia (ANLL) is not an uncommon form of leukemia in children. The differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult, but there are a number of laboratory tests that can contribute useful information. Despite the introduction of several newer chemotherapeutic agents, only 50 to 60 percent of children with ANLL achieve complete remissions, and the median survival at this time is only about 14 to 18 months. Immunotherapy and bone-marrow transplantation may offer important future avenues of therapy. CNS leukemia has recently evolved as an important complication in this group of leukemias.