Initial therapy aims at inducing remission. Treatment differs most from ALL in that AML responds to fewer drugs. Some regimens include 6-thioguanine, etoposide, vincristine, and prednisone, but their contribution is unclear. Treatment usually results in significant myelosuppression, often for long periods before marrow recovery. CNS prophylaxis is usually not given because, with better systemic disease control, CNS leukemia is a less frequent complication.
Maintenance therapy has no demonstrated role in AML patients who have had intensification treatment.
Extramedullary sites are infrequently involved in isolated relapse. All rights reserved.