[Treatment of leukemia in the elderly (author's transl)].

The treatment of elderly patients, who suffer from leukemia must not be standardized. Impaired bone marrow function, cardiovascular disease and other organopathias require an individually adapted therapy. The aim of treatment should be a good quality of life and not a remission at any price. Aggressive therapy in cases of acute leukemia with little progress should be avoided in favour of symptomatic treatment. CLL are treated in the progressive state of disease. Haemolytic anaemia and recurrent infections may complicate the course of CLL. CML is not a disease of old age but when it occurs intermittent therapy with cautious dosage is preferable to a continuous therapy.