Characteristics and Clinical Evolution of Patients with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia in Northeast Mexico: An Eight-Year Experience at a University Hospital

Abstract

Background/Objective: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. We documented the characteristics and results of treatment of patients with AML at a single reference center. Methods: Patients diagnosed with AML between June 2003 and July 2011 at a university hospital in northeast Mexico were studied. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were determined, and risk factors were analyzed with respect to their influence on prognosis. Results: A total of 132 AML patients were included. Median age was 32 years. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 55% of patients. CR was achieved by 65.1% of patients <60 years (n = 109), compared to 8.7% of those >60 years (n = 23; p < 0.001). In all, 39% of patients >60 years suffered an early death, compared to 14.7% of those <60 years (p < 0.001). OS for patients with AML was 35%, whereas EFS was 32%. On multivariate analysis, patients >60 years had a lower OS and EFS (p < 0.001). A total of 28% of patients received a transplant, and they had higher OS and EFS. Conclusions: Our patients were considerably younger and had remarkably lower survival rates than reported for other populations; those >60 years had a higher early death rate, and fewer of these patients achieved CR.

Contributions of a regional approach to document hematologic disease in Mexico: a 10-year experience in an open population

“…In the US, this ratio is higher in males 1.4:1 [10]. The median age in our group was 34 years (0-85), similar to a previous regional study with a median of 32 years [43]. In contrast, reports from the US and Europe found considerably higher medians of 67-69 years [2,10,44], almost 35 years older than our patients, attesting to the many epigenetic influences in this malignancy.…”

“…We have reported the general characteristics and survival rates for AML in our center [43] documenting 137 patients with AML over five years with an M:F ratio of 1.07:1 [43]. In the US, this ratio is higher in males 1.4:1 [10].…”

Geographic Hematology: Some Observations in Mexico

“…In our low-to-middle income population the peak incidence of AML has been observed 10 years earlier than in other countries, with a mean age at diagnosis of 32-43 years [15,24] compared to a median of 60-70 years in the USA or the UK [25,26]. As suggested by Jaime-Perez et al [24], this might be explained by the fact that older pa- tients are not referred to seeking care.…”

“…As suggested by Jaime-Perez et al [24], this might be explained by the fact that older pa- tients are not referred to seeking care. The median age at diagnosis in Latin American countries or developing countries is very similar to ours.…”

Access to Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Developing World: Barriers and Solutions

“…The median age at diagnosis in DC has been observed 10 years earlier than in developed countries [14][15][16][17], with a mean age of 32-44 years compared with a median of 60-70 years in some developed countries like US or UK [1,3].…”