[Acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment with cytostatic agents].

Introduction: The introduction of high dose chemotherapy of cancer has been followed by an increased incidence of therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Material and Methods: A survey of the literature has shown that these complications have been attributed to a high accumulated dose of alkylating agents, antracyclins and epipodophyllotoxins. The incidence increases after additional irradiation.
Results: After standard doses of leukaemogenic drugs the incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome is reported to be 0-4%, increasing to 8-10% after high dose therapy. At diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, most of the patients have chromosomal abnormalities.
Interpretation: The prognosis of therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome is poor compared to that in primary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.