Causes of early death in adult acute leukaemia.

The causes of early deaths (12 weeks from diagnosis) were analyzed in 41 patients, i.e. 29% of total acute leukemia material, hospitalized 1976-1981. The most common cause of death was infection, mainly pneumonia and septicaemia, infection and haemorrhagic diathesis or haemorrhagic diathesis alone. In 3 patients suddenly dead, large brain infiltrations were found. Analysis of prognostic factors revealed significantly higher leukocyte count and significantly lower platelet count in the peripheral blood than in the control group of acute myeloid leukemia patients.