Autoimmune Ataxia During Maintenance Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Neurologic dysfunction during acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment is commonly associated with chemotherapy. Nonchemotherapy contributions should be considered for persistent atypical symptoms. We describe a boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed recurrent fevers, diarrhea, progressive ataxia, and neuropsychiatric impairment during maintenance chemotherapy.

Sharing life-altering information: development of pediatric hospital guidelines and team training.

Unlabelled: Abstract Background: Despite parent and physician reports of inadequate skill development, there are few guidelines for training the pediatric care team in sharing life-altering information (SLAI), i.e., "breaking bad news.

Concerns about pain management among adolescents with cancer: developing the Adolescent Barriers Questionnaire.

Investigators have examined barriers to pain management in adults with cancer, but these patient-related barriers have rarely been studied in adolescents. This article summarizes 2 studies used in the development and initial psychometric testing of the Adolescent Barriers Questionnaire (ABQ). Building on the Barriers Questionnaire-II, the ABQ is designed to measure the extent to which adolescents with cancer have concerns about reporting pain and using analgesics.

Community and home care services provided to children with cancer: a report from the Children's Cancer Group Nursing Committee--Clinical Practice Group.

A survey directed to home care providers was conducted by the Children's Cancer Group Nursing Committee--Clinical Practice Group. The purpose of the survey was to (a) assess the treatments, resources, and counseling services provided to children with cancer and (b) query what are their informational needs in servicing this specialized population. The survey found that there are many chemotherapy, biotherapy, and supportive therapies being provided in the home.

Phase I trial of anti-B4-blocked ricin in pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma.

Monoclonal antibodies, specific for antigens expressed on lymphoid malignancies, which have been conjugated to toxins such as ricin, hold promise in the therapy of childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Anti-B4-blocked ricin (anti-B4-bR) is such an agent, and a phase I study of this agent was conducted in children with relapsed or refractory B-lineage leukemia and lymphoma. Anti-B4-bR was given as two 7-day continuous infusions separated by 7 days.