Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The improved outlook in childhood leukemia can be attributed to more accurate diagnosis, better supportive care, the use of drug combinations to achieve and maintain remission, and prophylactic therapy to prevent central nervous system leukemia. With the best treatment available today, 65 to 70 per cent of children are in complete continuous remission five years after diagnosis. Recent advances in biology, diagnosis, and treatment which have contributed to this progress are reviewed.