Cyclic chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of childhood: 5-Year survivals

Of 31 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with a cyclical scheme of chemotherapy, 19% survived for over 5 years, 16% remained in continuing haematological remission for 5 years, and 13% remained leukaemia free for 5 years. These findings are relevant to potential cure, unlike the median remission duration, which is a measure of palliation. A relation between the percentage of PAS-positive blast cells at diagnosis and duration of control of the disease still pertains for the long-term results in this series of patients.