STAGING OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (6) , 1191-1196
Abstract
Patients (188) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were analyzed for prognosis based on Rai''s staging system. Stages I and II were not homogeneous as to prognosis. Stage II patients presenting with isolated splenomegaly had a long survival and were pooled with stage 0 patients (low risk group, 30% of cases, relative death rate 0.24, median survival > 10 yr). Stages I and II patients with a lymphocyte count higher than 40 .times. 109/l had a short survival and were pooled with stages III and IV patients (high risk group, 39% of cases, relative death rate 1.91, median survival 3.3 yr). Stages I and II patients with a lymphocyte count lower than 40 .times. 109/l made up an intermediate or standard risk group (31% of cases, relative death rate 1.00, median survival 6.2 yr). This modified staging system applied successfully to old and young patients (more and less than 60 yr old, respectively).