[Factors determining the prognosis of leukemia]

The prognostic factors of acute leukemia in children are described. The maintenance of the first complete remission is the principal aim of treatment. Initial high leucocyte counts over 50 x 10(9)/l and leukemic infiltration of the central nervous system and the testis are poor prognostic signs. The morphological classification of acute lymphoblastic leukemia versus acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia is more important than the differentiation in lymphoblastic types. Immunological characterisation as a B-cell leukemia seems to hold a poor prognosis. Cell replication rate, chromosomal studies and HLA typing are of growing importance but should not influence the choice of therapy at this moment. Sex, race and age of onset are factors, reported to be of importance, are worth to be studied more intensively in connection to the other factors. The quality of the results in trials and in different centres urge to a multi-variate analysis of the data in order to prevent unreliable conclusions.