Abstract
The incidence of meningeal leukemia and the relationship between the incidence of meningeal leukemia and different parameters (median survival, VCR-administration, type of leukemia, initial peripheral WBC count, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymph-node swelling) was studied in 93 adults with acute leukemia.
The following results were obtained:
1) During May, 1959 - May, 1968, no meningeal leukemia was recognized in 50 adults with acute leukemia; during May, 1968 - Dec., 1973, the incidence was 16.3% (7/43).
It was speculated that the increased incidence between both series was largely due to increased length of survival.
2) In this study, the leukemic population with high risk of developing meningeal leukemia was as follows; a) acute monocytic leukemia, b) acute leukemia with negative peroxidase reaction, c) VCR-administered case of acute leukemia with the positive peroxidase reaction, d) acute leukemia with an peripheral WBC count greater than 50,000/cmm, e) acute leukemia with splenomegaly, f) and with lymphnode swelling.
3) In these population, the aggressive and prophylactic treatments for meningeal leukemia are recommended.
4) The transient, recurrent symptoms of neurologic and psychic disturbance without meningism and manifestations of increased CSF pressure, were very suggestive signs of initial symptom of meningeal leukemia.
