Incidence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and population-based treatment results in Switzerland: experiences with 507 study and 149 nonstudy patients.

Of 656 patients with ALL (all types) diagnosed in Switzerland during 4 consecutive 4-year periods (1976-1979, 1980-1983, 1984-1987, 1988-1991), 507 were officially registered on protocols ("study" patients) while 149 were not ("nonstudy" patients). The mean incidence of 3.8/100,000 children < 15 years/year is higher than reported for other Western countries.

Orthotopic heart transplantation: an efficient treatment in a young boy with doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.

We present the case of a boy who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation at the age of 14 years because of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy 9 years after treatment of a Wilms tumor of the left kidney. Three years after heart transplantation the patient enjoys a normal daily life. Invasive studies show normal cardiac hemodynamic results and in spite of previous nephrectomy and long-term cyclosporine treatment, renal function is only slightly impaired.

Vincristine, prednisone and L-asparaginase in the induction of remission in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following relapse.

Two hundred and twenty-seven children with recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with various combinations of vincristine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide and L-asparaginase in an approach to the induction of remission. The combination of L-asparaginase 1,000 mu/kg iv q.d.