Cytogenetics in adult acute lymphocytic leukemia.

The outcome of adult ALL patients has improved over the years, with an increase in median DFS from 0.9 years before 1988 to 1.7 years alter 1988. There is still ample room for improvement. Cytogenetic analysis at diagnosis can assist in developing risk-adapted therapeutic strategies and in devising new treatment modalities by an understanding of the molecular basis of the aberrations. Moreover, therapy can be intensified when residual disease is detected.