Distribution of 250 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) according to the FAB classification and response to therapy.

250 consecutive cases of AML in adults were diagnosed over a 6 year period in the same institution. Pretreatment blood and bone marrow smears and also cytochemical markers were taken into account in the study. All cases were reviewed by three different observers and classified according to the FAB criteria. The final diagnosis resulted from agreement of at least two observers. Some discrepancies occurred in the classification and are discussed. The prognostic implication of AML subclassification was assessed as the percentage of complete remission in 100 cases.