Prognostic significance of early lymphocyte recovery in pediatric osteosarcoma.

Background: Evidence suggests early lymphocyte recovery after chemotherapy predicts superior outcome for patients with cancer, a phenomenon not previously investigated in osteosarcoma. This study determined the prognostic significance of early lymphocyte recovery for pediatric patients with osteosarcoma.

Procedures: We reviewed data of 19 consecutive patients treated for osteosarcoma at our institution from 1997 to 2007.

Diabetic ketoacidosis during therapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Hyperglycemia is common during therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs rarely. Morbidity due to DKA in children with ALL has not been systematically studied.

Procedures: We reviewed risk factors and clinical consequences of DKA in patients undergoing therapy for ALL at SJCRH between 1991 and 2006.

Prognostic significance of myeloperoxidase expression in childhood acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: The percentage of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive blast cells is associated with prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but this association is unsubstantiated in pediatric AML.

Procedure: We retrospectively compared cytochemical MPO results with outcome in 154 patients younger than 21 years treated on three consecutive institutional protocols for newly diagnosed AML (1987-2001). Patients with FAB M0 and M7 AML (no MPO expression) or M3 AML (100% MPO expression) and Down's syndrome were excluded.