Principles for the management of patients with leukemia.

Abstract

Patients with chronic leukemia should be treated for signs and symptoms of activity of their disease, not just because a diagnosis has been established. Roentgen therapy, radioactive phosphorus and MYLERAN® are effective in inducing good remissions in chronic granulocytic leukemia. In chronic lymphocytic Leukemia, roentgen therapy, nitrogen mustard, triethylene melamine or chlorambucil often is effective. Therapy of acute leukemia is most difficult at present, and referral of such patients to hematology centers for therapy will help in the search for more effective treatment. Adrenocortical steroids and blood transfusions also are very helpful in certain phases of the leukemic process.