Risk Factors in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Single Center Experience in a Developing Country

• Published in: Blood 2005-11, Vol.106 (11), p.4475-4475
• Main Authors: Anak, Sema S., Agaoglu, Leyla, Akcay, Arzu, Saribeyoglu, Ebru T., Atay, Didem Y., Garipardic, Mesut, Unuvar, Aysegul, Karakas, Zeynep, Devecioglu, Omer, Ozturk, Gulyuz, Gedikloglu, Gunduz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V106.11.4475.4475

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy, with the survival rates up to 80–90%, but in high-risk patients the survival rate is still unsatisfactory. The aim of this study is to analyze the pediatric ALL data of a single pediatric university center between 1987–2005 retrospectively to identify risk factors effecting the event free survival (EFS). In order to determine the risk factors possibly effecting the survival, we analyzed gender, age, physical examination findings, blood cell count, FAB morphology, immunophenotyping results, translocations and extramedullary involvement. During the same period, chemotherapy regimens used and response to these protocols were also analyzed. A total of 372 cases [220 male (60%) and 151 female (41%)] were diagnosed and treated in our center between 1987–2005. The age distribution was as follows: 7% patients under 2 years, 68% between 2–10 years, 25% above 10 years of age. At diagnosis, 76% patients had a hemoglobin level 10.000/mm3, 74% platelet 50.000/mm3 and platelet count