Cytogenetic analysis of leukemic blasts has become a part of the standard diagnosis approach of acute myeloid leukemia patients. Chromosomal aberrations findings separate AML patients into three broad prognostic categories: favorable, intermediate and high risk. We analyzed retrospectively 179 adults with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), younger than 60 years admitted to our Department between January 1999 and April 2009 to evaluate the prognostic impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on complete remission (CR) rate, disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). All patients received similar induction therapy. Median follow-up of 3.8 years for favorable cytogenetic group CR rate was 85%, 3-year DFS was 70% and 3-year OS was 65%, for intermediate group CR rate, 3-year DFS and 3-year OS were respectively: 64%, 43%, and 38%. Among high risk patient CR rate was 40%, 3-year DFS was 24%, 3-year OS was 17%. We conclude that cytogenetics is among the most useful factors in predicting attainment of CR, DFS, and long-term overall survival in adult de novo AML patients younger than 60 years.