Intrathecal cytarabine for AML – pro
Uptodate says: “ Diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) is not recommended for most patients with AML in the absence of CNS symptoms. Patients who should be considered for LP include those with symptoms suggesting CNS or ocular involvement and patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in systemic relapse. In patients with APL, LP should be deferred until correction of the coagulopathy and, in the absence of symptoms, can usually be done after a second complete response is achieved. Even if the cerebrospinal fluid examination is negative, many experts recommend prophylactic treatment with intrathecal chemotherapy in patients with APL in second remission”.
Involvement of the central nervous system with acute myeloid leukemia
Author:Charles A Schiffer, MDSection Editor:Richard A Larson, MDDeputy Editor:Alan G Rosmarin, MD
2020