The treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Guatemala: Biologic features, treatment hurdles, and results.

Background: The National Pediatric Oncology Unit (UNOP) is the only pediatric hemato-oncology center in Guatemala.

Methods: Patients ages 1 to 17 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated according to modified ALL Intercontinental Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (IC-BFM) 2002 protocol. Risk classification was based on age, white blood cell count, immunophenotype, genetics (when available), and early response to therapy.