Purpose : This study was performed to identify the incidence of chromosomal abnormality in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and to evaluate prognostic
significance of chromosomal abnormality.
Methods: Between May 1995 and May 1997, we evaluated chromosomal abnormalities of 30 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia by high resolution banding technique.
Among them, 20 patients were treated with cytarabine and daunorubicin(7+3) for inducing the remission. We proposed that t(15;17) or t(8;21) group were good risk(A) group, the normal karyotype group was the intermediate risk(B) group, and complete karyotype or chromosome 7 abnormality or undetermined prognostic karyotype group were poor risk(C) group.
Results: The incidence of chromosomal abnormality was 63%(19/30). The duration of median follow-up of 20 evaluable patients was 20.7 months. Overall complete remission(CR) rate was 55%. The CR rate in 4, B and C group was 80%, 86% and 13%(p<0.01). Overall median remission duration was 9.0 months. The duration of median remission of B group was 8.0 months but, that of A group was not reached yet and the
only one remission case in C group is still alive for 5 months(p<0.01). Chromosomal abnormality was only significant prognostic factor in the duration of median remission. Overall median survival duration was 9.7 months. The duration of median survival in B and C group was 14.2 months and 0.7 months, but that of A group was not reached yet(p<0.01). Chromosomal abnormality and to be or not to be CR were significant prognostic factors in the duration of median survival.
Conclusion: The incidence of chromosomal abnormality in patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia is relatively high and chromosomal abnormality is a useful prognostic factor. And we think that tailored therapy by chromosomal abnormality will be necessary for more effective results.

Keywords: Chromosomal abnormality, Acute myelogenous leukemia, Prognostic factor,