Prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

58 patients under the age of 14 years with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were managed from 1971 to 1985. We analysed their overall survival from diagnosis to assess the prognostic significance of clinical and laboratory features present at diagnosis. Factors which were statistically significant included white blood count, platelet count, palpable lymph node enlargement, mediastinal widening on chest x-ray and palpable splenic enlargement. The purpose of this study was to identify that subset of patients which might have benefitted from more intensive treatment.