Clinical features and therapeutic effect of 38 children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of children's anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), summarize the therapeutic effect and toxicities.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 38 ALCL patients admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Apr. 2010 were treated with BCH-ALCL-2003 regimen (modified from HK-ALCL-2000).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Thirty-four cases were ALK(+), malefemale ratio = 2.161. The median age was 9 years; 86.8% had B symptoms. 94.7% evolved to Stage III and IV on admission. The median follow-up duration was 48 months (12 to 99 months). Median event-free survival (EFS) time was 43 months. Thirty-four patients (89.5%) achieved a remission. The disease relapsed in 3 patients within 20 months after diagnosis. Estimated 4-year EFS was (81.2 ± 6.4)%, estimated 4-year overall survival (OS) rate was (86.4 ± 5.7)%. Univariate analysis indicated that the unfavorable prognostic factors included more than 3 extra nodal involvement, hepatosplenomegaly (> 3 cm), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), stage IV, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, and age < 3 years. The major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis. no chemotherapy related death occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Childhood ALCL patients often have B symptoms and extranodal involvement. (2) In the study, therapeutic effects was good. The disease relapsed mostly within the first 2 years, maintenance therapy with vinblastine is necessary. (3) The regimen is safe to patients.</p>