Absence of predictive parameters for CNS involvement in adult non-lymphocytic leukaemia at time of diagnosis.

13 patients with adult non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) who developed central nervous system (CNS) involvement during the course of their illness are reported and compared with a control group of 26 ANLL patients without CNS involvement. The incidence of CNS involvement was 13/510 patients (2.5%). Initial symptoms and signs and routine laboratory data were not helpful in predicting which patients would ultimately develop CNS involvement. Almost 1/2 of the patients were in clinical and haematological remission at the time of the diagnosis of CNS involvement. Specific treatment to the CNS including intrathecal cytotoxic drugs and/or radiotherapy failed to increase the survival rate significantly. Whether the establishment of an early diagnosis of CNS involvement and the institution of appropriate treatment may improve the prognosis of this complication is a question which presently remains unanswered.