HIGH INFECTION RELATED MORTALITY IN PAKISTANI CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKAEMIA DURING REMISSION INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY: REVIEW OF DATA FROM A SINGLE INSTITUTION
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- AUR Maaz; Farhana Badar; Tariq Mahmood; Ibrahim Al Nassir
- Source
- Journal of Cancer and Allied Specialties, Vol 2, Iss 4 (2016)
- Subject
- Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
RC254-282
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2411-989X
Purpose: Despite advances in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (A.L.L.), the outcome for children living in the developing countries is still poor. This is in large part due to high treatment-related mortality (TRM). This study was carried out to review the data and analyze the factors resulting in high TRM during remission induction chemotherapy. Methods: Data for children treated at our centre during the calendar year 2007 were retrospectively analysed. Standard four-drug induction chemotherapy was used without risk strati cation. Bone marrow evaluation was carried out at days 8 and 28. Cerebrospinal uid analysis was carried out on day 1 and with each subsequent intrathecal chemotherapy injection. Modern supportive care facilities including antibiotics, nutritional support and intensive care unit were available. Results: Eighty-one children were eligible for analysis. Median age was 5 years (range 2–16), 72% were male with M:F ratio of 2.5:1. Seventy- five (92%) children had precursor B-cell A.L.L. Only 2 children had central nervous system leukaemia at presentation. Median presenting white blood cell count was 8.83 (range: 1–446). Severe malnutrition (weight