Oncologists' Reply: Survival Expectancy in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The editor of the Journal in a recent editorial,¹ indicated that the Director of the National Cancer Institute “is said to have pointed out that 50 per cent of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia [who get] optimal treatment survive at least five years today. Tragically only 15 per cent of the children afflicted get optimal treatment.” We believe our data indicate that 50 per cent of children now under optimal treatment as it is known today should survive for at least five years. With this qualification, the statement is defensible. The editor volunteered to print the directions for such treatment.