[Leukemias in advanced age. Part 2: Myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic leukemia]

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative syndrome (MPS), together with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) are, for the most part, seen in the elderly. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), however, is not common in this age group. New treatment for the myelodysplastic syndrome is the use of cytokines, for CLL fludarabine, and 2-chloro-2-deoxy-adenosine (2-CDA). The standard form of treatment for CML and other myeloproliferative syndromes is interferon alpha or hydroxyurea, or a combination of the two.