We evaluated outcomes of AML patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement at two academic institutions. Fifty-two adult patients were identified. Neurologic symptoms were reported in 69% of patients, with headache the most common (33%). 84% (n = 42) of patients cleared their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with a median number of one dose of intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy. Of these patients, 21% (n = 9) had a CSF relapse, with 67% (n = 6) of those experiencing CSF relapse also having concurrent bone marrow relapse. Of the 36 patients with baseline neurologic symptoms, 69% had improvement in symptoms post-IT therapy. The median overall survival was 9.3 months and 3.5 months for patients with CNS involvement diagnosed before/during induction and at relapse, respectively. In this study, IT therapy was rapidly effective in clearing CSF blasts and improving neurologic symptoms in most patients. Few patients experienced CSF relapse, which predominantly occurred in the setting of concomitant bone marrow relapse.
Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; central nervous symptoms; extramedullary; intrathecal chemotherapy; neurologic symptoms.