[Current treatment of acute leukemias in adults]. / Aikuisten akuuttien leukemioiden nykyhoito.

ABSTRACT

In addition to conventional microscopic morphology, immunophenotyping by flow cytometry as well as chromosome and molecular genetic studies are important methods in the diagnosis of acute leukemias. They are utilized for reaching a specific diagnosis, estimating the prognosis and looking for markers applicable to the examination of minimal residual disease. By means of combination chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation more than 50% of patients under the age of 66 survive five years or more. The picture of the pathogenesis and behavior of leukemias is becoming clearer and new targets for drug therapy are being revealed.