Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Swedish children 1973-1978.

Three hundred and sixty-seven children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have been diagnosed in Sweden 1973-1978, 345 of whom were treated according to the national uniform regimens of the Swedish Child Leukemia Group (SCLG). The patients were classified into an SR (standard risk) and an IR (increased risk) group. Remission was obtained in 354 patients (96%). With 12-84 months observation time the total survival was 54% and the disease-free survival 44%. A more intensive cytostatic regimen in the induction period increased considerably the disease-free survival for the SR and to some extent also for the IR patients. Relapses were significantly more common in the IR group in spite of a more intensive cytostatic regimen. The most decisive IR criteria were B-LPK and age at diagnosis. Prognosis was significantly worse for boys in all groups. After 3 years in CCR treatment was discontinued in 95 out of 246 children (38%) of whom 19 later relapsed (20%).