Treatment Outcome of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

To determine the therapeutic outcome of childhood ALL at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital (induction with 3 drugs; prednisolone, vincristine cyclophosphamide or adriamycin), a retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients with first diagnosis ALL during June 1, 1996 to May 31, 1999 was perfomed. Twenty four patients were male and 16 were female. Fifty five percent of the patients were 3-6 years of age. Of 42 patients, 26 were classified as low risk group and 14 were high risk. Overall treatment outcome reved that 62.5% of patients had remission after first course of induction and 85.5% had remisssion affer repeated second course. Thirty percent of remission patients developed relapse, the most common site of relapse was bone marrow (80 .0%), During the study period, 9 patients (26.7%) died. Forty percent of patients are still alive and in remission pha the longest duration of remission was 16 months (3 cases; 17.1%). In conclusion, the current regimen for child at Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital was not effective enough to achieve the good outcome Therefore, the modification of regimen should be considered.