Problems in the management of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egypt: Clinic pathologic characteristics and treatment results of 133 cases [CPOCH 1991-1994]

ABSTRACT

This retrospective study analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment results of 133 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ninety-seven patients were between two and ten years of age. Organ invasion was documented in 79% of patients at presentation. WBC greater than 100 x 109/L was encountered in 26 patients. L1 morphology was the commonest subtype encountered in 70.7% of the study group. Analysis of the pattern of receiving treatment revealed that 18% of the study group did not attend or died before or just after starting the treatment protocol. Thirty patients received the treatment irregularly due to various socioeconomic reasons. Induction mortality rate was 12.8%. Only 62 children received treatment regularly on time. Complete remission could be achieved in 59 patients. After a median period of follow up of 45 months, 17 patients relapsed. High initial WBC, organ invasion and L2 morphology was statistically significantly associated with high relapse rate. The five-year overall and disease free survival of the evaluable patients were 76%, respectively