Abstract
Little information is available on the influence of CT alone on linear growth in children with ALL, and both normal and impaired growth have been reported. We present growth data on 41 children (23 ♀ and 18 ♂) in 1st continuous remission after treatment for ALL. All were treated with combination CT (VCR, asparaginase, 6-MP, MTX and intrathecal MTX) and glucocorticoids. 15 patients received additional anthracyclines. None had CNS irradiation. Median age at diagnosis was 4.0 yrs (range 0.55-14.9). CT was discontinued after 3 yrs at a median age of 7.0 yrs (3.7-18.1). Median age at last observation was 14.9 (4.2-24.5). Median interval between cessation of therapy and last follow-up was 7.0 yrs (1.9-17.6). Height was measured at regular intervals from diagnosis until last follow-up. Median height-SDS (HSDS) for chronological age was calculated.
From diagnosis to last observation we observed at change in HSDS (p=0.0052)(Friedman test). The change was caused by a decrease in HSDS from diagnosis to end of CT (p=0.046) and catch-up growth from end of CT to last follow up (p=0.0094). Same significant observation was seen in children who finished CT before puberty.
Conclusion: Long term growth prognosis seems to be favourable in children treated for ALL without radiotherapy.
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Holm, K., Hertz, H. & Müller, J. LINEAR GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT OF CHILDREN TREATED FOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) WITH CHEMOTHERAPY (CT) ALONE. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S39 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00214
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00214