Clinical Characteristics and Cytogenetics of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Single Center in Pakistan.

This study aimed to find the association between clinical characteristics, cytogenetics, and post-induction outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study was conducted at the Indus Hospital in Karachi. Initial total leukocyte count (TLC), cytogenetics, CNS status, and post-induction remission status were recorded.

Central Nervous System Involvement in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Analysis of Day-One Versus Day-Eight Lumbar Punctures in Remission Induction Therapy.

Introduction Traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP+) can lead to the iatrogenic infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by circulating leukemic blast cells in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The risk of TLP+ is increased by a number of factors at the time of presentation of the disease, such as a high white cell count (WCC), T-ALL phenotype, and unstable clinical condition of the patient. For this reason, the first lumbar puncture (LP) was deferred until Day Eight of prednisolone prophase during remission induction therapy in one set of patients.

Prednisolone Prophase for a Week Versus Upfront Multiagent Chemotherapy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Analysis With Reference to Induction Mortality in a Developing Country.

In childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, high treatment-related mortality, especially in the induction phase of treatment, is a major challenge for developing countries. The reasons are multifactorial, including a late presentation with higher disease burden, malnourishment, and limited support services. These factors may aggravate the toxic effects of upfront multiagent chemotherapy in terms of severe neutropenic sepsis and tumor lysis.