[Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: clinical data and results of intensive chemotherapy]. / Leucemia no linfoblástica aguda: datos clínicos y resultados de una quimioterapia intensiva.

Twenty-one children, between eight months and twelve years old, diagnosed as having acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), were treated with an intensive chemotherapy based on a modified VAPA protocol. Complete remission rate was 80%, and the 5 year-survival rate is 46%. One chloroma, one central nervous system, and four bone marrow relapses were observed; all except the first having an unfavourable outcome. Significant risk prognostic factors in this series proved to be hepatomegaly (greater than 5 cm) and delay in obtaining remission. No fatal complications were observed.

[Systemic candidiasis in children with cancer]. / Candidiasis sistémicas en niños con cáncer.

Systemic fungal infections have long been recognized in terminally ill patients with cancer. Systemic candidiasis is the most common, the incidence having increased in the last few years. Eight children diagnosed as having systemic candidiasis during a two-year period (1987-1988) are presented. Three had an isolated fungal pneumonitis, two an hepatosplenic candidiasis, one a multisystemic involvement (hepatosplenic, pulmonary and nodular skin lesions) and the remaining two patients had a Candida sepsis with no visceral lesions having been documented. All patients had neutropenia and prolonged fever no responsive to broad spectrum antibiotics. We would like to underline the importance of an early and prolonged antifungal therapy, especially in hepatosplenic candidiasis, in order to obtain the cure.