Parental and infant characteristics and childhood leukemia in Minnesota

Background  

Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. With the exception of Down syndrome, prenatal radiation exposure, and higher birth weight, particularly for acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), few risk factors have been firmly established. Translocations present in neonatal blood spots and the young age peak of diagnosis suggest that early-life factors are involved in childhood leukemia etiology.     

Treatment‐related mortality in relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

1 Background

Treatment of relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is particularly challenging due to the high treatment intensity needed to induce and sustain a second remission. To improve results, it is important to understand how treatment‐related toxicity impacts survival.

2 Procedure

In this retrospective population‐based study, we described the causes of death and estimated the risk for treatment‐related mortality in patients with first relapse of childhood ALL in the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology ALL‐92 and ALL‐2000 trials.

3 Results

Among the 483 patients who received relapse treatment with curative intent, we identified 52 patients (10.8%) who died of treatment‐related causes. Twelve of these died before achieving second remission and 40 died in second remission. Infections were the cause of death in 38 patients (73.1%), predominantly bacterial infections during the chemotherapy phases of the relapse treatment. Viral infections were more common following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in second remission. Independent risk factors for treatment‐related mortality were as follows: high‐risk stratification at relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–3.9; P < 0.01), unfavorable cytogenetic aberrations (HR 3.4; 95% CI 1.3–9.2; P = 0.01), and HSCT (HR 4.64; 95% CI 2.17–9.92; P < 0.001). In contrast to previous findings, we did not observe any statistically significant sex or age differences. Interestingly, none of the 17 patients with Down syndrome died of treatment‐related causes.

4 Conclusions

Fatal treatment complications contribute significantly to the poor overall survival after relapse. Implementation of novel therapies with reduced toxicity and aggressive supportive care management are important to improve survival in relapsed childhood ALL.     

Incidence of childhood cancer in Switzerland: the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry

Background

This report describes the incidence of childhood cancer in Switzerland, based on the data from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR), a national hospital‐based cancer registry with very high coverage, founded in 1976 by the Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG).

Procedure

Malignancies were coded according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC‐3). Incidence rates per 100,000 person‐years were calculated for all malignancies and groups of malignancies in Swiss residents less than 15 years of age for the decade 1995–2004.

Results

The SCCR annually registered on average 174 new cases of cancer in Swiss residents aged <15 years, with a median age at diagnosis of 5.6 years. The crude incidence of childhood cancer in children aged <15 years was 13.5, higher for boys (15.0 per 100,000) than for girls (12.1 per 100,000), and was nearly twice as high in the first 5 years of life (19.3 per 100,000) than in the age group 5 to 14 years (10.8 per 100,000).

Conclusion

Incidence of childhood cancers in the SCCR was similar to neighbouring countries and to data published by regional cancer registries in Switzerland for the same period, suggesting good completeness of registration. This makes the SCCR a valuable resource for national and international research on childhood cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:46–51. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cost-effectiveness of treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chemotherapy only: the influence of new medication and diagnostic technology

Background

Survival for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has reached 80–90%. Future improvement in treatment success will involve new technologies and medication, adding to the pressure on limited financial resources. Therefore a retrospective cost‐effectiveness analysis of ALL treatment with chemotherapy only according to the two most recent Dutch Childhood Oncology Group treatment protocols was performed. The most recent protocol ALL10 included more expensive medication (pegasparaginase) and implemented a new diagnostic technique (minimal residual disease levels) compared to the previous ALL9 protocol.

Procedure

Fifty children from a single center cohort were included. All direct medical costs made during treatment, including those in satellite hospitals, were determined. Costs per life year saved (LYS) were calculated. The cost‐effectiveness ratio of the most recent treatment protocol was determined. LYS were calculated based on national 5‐year event‐free survival.

Results

Mean total costs were between $115,858 (ALL9) and $163,350 (ALL10) per patient. Hospital admissions (57%) and medication (11–17%) were important drivers of overall costs, and were higher in the most recent protocol ALL10. Costs per LYS were $1,962 (ALL9) and $2,655 (ALL10) and the cost‐effectiveness ratio was $8,215.

Conclusion

Treatment of childhood ALL with chemotherapy only is well within accepted ranges of cost‐effectiveness. The use of new technology and more expensive medication in the most recent protocol ALL10 lead to higher costs but more LYS. In future (ALL) treatment protocols, costs in relation to effects should be taken into account in order to establish more cost‐effective disease management without jeopardizing survival and quality of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1005–1010. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Echocardiographic surveillance for asymptomatic late-onset anthracycline cardiomyopathy in childhood cancer survivors

Background

The optimal frequency of echocardiographic surveillance in asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors exposed to anthracyclines has not been established. We evaluated the effectiveness of performing surveillance echocardiograms according to the Children's Oncology Group's (COG) Long‐Term Follow‐Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers in survivors ≥1 year from concluding therapy.

Methods

We reviewed all children treated at our institution with anthracycline chemotherapy from 1995 to 2003. We assessed the frequency of abnormal echocardiograms according to risk groups defined in the COG guidelines, and evaluated the risk factors for an abnormal echocardiogram using Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Results

At least one echocardiogram was completed by 469/603 (77.8%) eligible survivors. Mean diagnosis age was 7.7 (SD = 4.6) years. Mean cumulative doxorubicin‐equivalent dose was 205 mg/m² (SD = 115). Survivors completed 1,013 echocardiograms (median = 2, range = 1–10) beyond 1 year after concluding therapy. Seventy‐nine (16.8%) survivors had an abnormal echocardiogram at a median of 2.9 years (range 0.01–9.8) from 1 year after concluding therapy. Anthracycline dose >300 mg/m² (hazard ratio [HR] 3.00; 95% CI 1.51–5.98), age 1–4 years at treatment (HR 1.89; 95% CI 1.08–3.31) and radiation to a field involving the heart (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.08–2.76) predicted an increased risk of an abnormal echocardiogram; however, even survivors in the lower COG risk groups demonstrated abnormalities.

Conclusion

Periodic echocardiographic surveillance in childhood cancer survivors can yield abnormalities that require further evaluation. Abnormalities may become evident as early as 1 year after the conclusion of therapy and can impact even those survivors considered to be at low risk. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 467–472. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Socioeconomic status significantly impacts childhood cancer survival in South Africa

Background and aims

Significantly discrepant survival rates have been documented in single disease childhood cancer cohorts in South Africa; those from higher socioeconomic groups were shown to have a significantly lower risk of death than those from less affluent households. This study aimed to determine the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on childhood cancer survival using pooled South African data.

Methods

Five databases spanning January 2000 to December 2021 were interrogated. SES status was assigned based on a public sector annual household income classification. H0 households (formally unemployed) received free healthcare. H1, H2 and H3 (annual income > United States Dollar [USD] 19,000) households paid for healthcare relative to their income. The Spearman test assessed correlations between SES and disease stage in patients with solid tumours. Hazard ratios were determined using Cox regression modelling. The Kaplan–Meier procedure estimated overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 1598 children were eligible for analysis; 1269 had a solid tumour with a negative correlation between SES and stage (Spearman rho = −.178; p < .001). Patients with solid tumours and lower SES showed proportionately higher numbers of stage III and IV disease (p < .01). This proportion decreased with higher SES categories. In the multivariate analyses adjusted for sex, age, tumour type and stage, higher SES was associated with lower mortality risk (p < .001), indicating that the impact of SES on survival was in excess of any effect that could be explained by lower stage disease alone. There was a strong positive correlation between race and SES (Fisher's exact tests, p < .001) across all groups and all SES strata. Five-year OS was 85.3% in children from H3 households versus 46.3% in children from H0 households (p < .001).

Conclusion

SES significantly impacts childhood cancer survival for children with solid tumours in South Africa. SES is a robust surrogate for race in South Africa as a prognostic metric of disease outcome in childhood cancer. Advocacy to increase social support for impoverished patients is essential to achieve equitable improvements in outcomes treated with standardised national treatment guidelines.     

A questionnaire based review of long-term follow-up programs for survivors of childhood cancer in Canada

Background

Major advances have been made in the treatment of childhood cancer; however, survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. There is little literature regarding available long‐term follow‐up programs for survivors of childhood cancer.

Procedure

In March 2007, 16 surveys were sent to pediatric hematology/oncology programs across Canada to determine what programs were available for survivors of childhood cancer, and the nature of such programs.

Results

Of 15 participating centers, 13 (87%) have multi‐disciplinary programs for the long‐term follow‐up of pediatric cancer survivors. Research databases were documented in 9/15 (60%) of centers to document late effects. Dedicated programs for adult survivors of childhood cancer were established in 8/15 (53%) of centers. Access to subspecialty care for survivors was rated as quite good. Concerns were raised by many participants about patients being lost to follow‐up. Respondents indicated that primary care physicians appear to be under‐represented within dedicated long‐term follow‐up programs.

Conclusion

Long‐term follow‐up programs for survivors of childhood cancer are available in 87% of Canadian pediatric oncology centers. While programs reported good access to care for childhood survivors, many adult survivors of childhood cancer have more limited timely access to services and patients are often lost to follow‐up. New models of care incorporating primary care physicians are necessary due to growing numbers of survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:113–115. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

160例儿童急性白血病免疫表型分析

目的　免疫表型可以确定细胞的来源和分化阶段 ,是急性白血病的重要生物学特征。该文了解儿童急性白血病 (AL)抗原表达规律、分布情况并探讨其临床意义。方法　采用流式细胞术直接或间接免疫荧光法检测 1 6 0例儿童AL的免疫表型。结果　 1 6 0例AL中 ,急性淋巴细胞白血病 (ALL) 1 1 2例 ,急性髓细胞白血病(AML) 4 8例。 1 1 2例ALL中 ,T系ALL 1 2例 (1 0 .7% ) ;B系ALL(不包括成熟B ALL) 93例 (83.0 % )。ALL中 ,1 3.8%有髓系抗原表达 ,以CD33阳性最常见 ;AML中 ,4 0 %有淋系抗原表达 ,以CD7阳性率最高。儿童AML淋系抗原表达阳性率高于儿童ALL髓系抗原表达 (P <0 .0 1 )。CD1 4在儿童M 4和M 5的表达频率为 77.8%。B系ALL中CD34阳性率 5 8.5 %。AML中 ,CD34的表达频率为 5 5 .3% ,其中M1和M 2的CD34阳性率为 76 .5 % ,高于其它AML病人的CD34阳性率 (4 3.3% ) ,P <0 .0 5。HLA DR抗原在M 3的表达频率为 1 1 .1 % ,低于其它类型AML病人的HLA DR阳性率 (76 .3% ) ,P <0 .0 1。B系ALL中 ,CD34表达与FAB分型、起病时白细胞数、髓外侵润情况均无关 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;CD34-组婴幼白血病发生率 (1 7.6 % )高于CD34+ 组 (4 .2 % ) ,P <0 .0 5。结论　HLA DR阴性对于M3的诊断具有一定参考价值。     

Reemphasis on lymphoblast L2 morphology as a poor prognostic factor in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: In childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the relationship between lymphoblast L1/L2 morphology and prognosis is controversial. According to some studies L2 morphology is associated with poor prognosis, whereas in others the association disappears after adjustment for other known risk factors. PROCEDURE: We investigated the prognostic importance of lymphoblast L1/L2 morphology in childhood ALL treated with current Nordic ALL protocols in Finland. From the routine bone marrow (BM) aspirate and biopsy slides of 251 children with ALL diagnosed in 1990-1995, the blast cell morphology and early treatment responses were assessed blindly in a central review, using French-American-British (FAB) criteria with the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) modification. RESULTS: L1 morphology (>90% L1) was found in 197 (80%) children and L2 (>/=10% L2) in 49 (20%). Early treatment response was poorer in L2 than in L1: >5% blasts in the marrow on day 15 were seen in 27% of L2 as opposed to 12% of L1 (P = 0.048). The 6-year event-free survival (EFS) in the study population was 75%, 76% in L1 and 70% in L2 (P = 0.34). In the group with white blood cell count (WBC) below 50 x 10(9)/liter at diagnosis, the L2 morphology was associated with inferior survival: 6-year EFS 74% in L2 and 84% in L1 (P = 0.07), with 6-year overall survival (OS) 81% vs. 91% (P = 0.035), respectively. L2 morphology was not associated with any other adverse prognostic factor analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: With the intensive Nordic ALL protocols, lymphoblast L2 morphology is an independent poor prognostic factor, influencing both the early response to treatment and, in the low-WBC group, the ultimate outcome, and should be reemphasized in risk categorization of childhood ALL.     

Clinical evaluation of late outcomes in Dutch childhood cancer survivors: Methodology of the DCCSS LATER 2 study

Background

Childhood cancer survivors face late health problems; despite advances in research, details on risk remain unclear. We describe the methodological aspects of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) cross-sectional clinical study (LATER 2 study).

Procedure

From the multi-center DCCSS LATER cohort of 6165 five-year survivors diagnosed during 1963–2001, we invited 4735 eligible survivors in 2016, as well as siblings and parents of survivors. Gaps in evidence identified during development of surveillance guidelines were translated into clinical research questions for 16 outcome-specific subprojects. The regular care visit to the LATER outpatient clinic forms the backbone of outcome assessment complemented with research-defined measurements (physical examination, clinical tests, questionnaires). Furthermore, blood/saliva samples were taken for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction.

Results

In total, 2519 (53.2%) survivors participated in the LATER 2 study. When comparing participants with nonparticipants, we observed that males, CNS survivors, and those treated with surgery only were less likely to participate. Of the participating survivors, 49.3% were female. Median time since childhood cancer diagnosis was 26.9 years (range 14.8–54.7 years) and median attained age was 34.4 years (range 15.4–66.6 years).

Conclusions

The high-quality data generated in the LATER 2 study will provide valuable insights into risks of and risk factors for clinical and physical and psychosocial health outcomes and factors for early recognition of those health outcomes in long-term childhood cancer survivors. This will contribute to fill in important gaps in knowledge and improve the quality of life and care for childhood cancer survivors.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病南方ALL99方案临床疗效分析

目的对82例儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(acute lymphoblastic leukemia,ALL)治疗结果进行分析,探讨如何提高儿童ALL无病生存率。方法应用南方ALL99方案治疗82例ALL患儿。该方案引进德国BFM95和香港-新加坡ALL97方案,作了少许改动,形成南方ALL99方案。改动方面包括将三联鞘注中的氢化可的松换成地塞米松,将外院不规则化疗过的标危患者按中危治疗,将每一疗程开始时的中性粒细胞和血小板的标准提高到中性粒细胞≥1×109/L,血小板≥100×109/L。采用SPSS软件进行寿命表法分析。结果对1999年4月至2003年9月收治的82例ALL患儿按南方ALL99方案进行治疗,78例获完全缓解(completeremission,CR),CR率为95%;13例患者因经济困难或其他原因失访。其中按南方ALL99方案坚持治疗的69例,预期2年无病生存率91%,预期5年以上无病生存率75%;因感染死亡3例(死亡率为4%),复发死亡6例。结论引进德国BFM95和香港-新加坡ALL97方案而成的南方ALL99方案治疗儿童ALL疗效好,化疗相关死亡率低,该方案对中国人耐受性好,值得推广应用。     

Clinical features and induction outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a lower/middle income population: A multi‐institutional report from Pakistan

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer of childhood. Some evidence suggests differences in clinical and cytogenetic characteristics of ALL based on geographic and ethnic variations. However, data on ALL characteristics and early outcome of therapy from low/middle‐income countries such as Pakistan are scanty.

Procedure

A prospective, multi‐institutional cohort study in Karachi enrolled 646 newly diagnosed children with ALL over 3 years. Standard forms were used to collect demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at presentation and at the end of induction.

Results

Of the total, 66.1% (n = 427) were males. Median age was 6 (mean ± SE 6.87 ± 0.16; range 0.16–18) years. The most common clinical presentation was fever (88.7%). BPC‐ALL was diagnosed in 78.5%, while 17.5% had T‐ALL; 28.8% had a WBC >50 × 10⁹/L. With 316 patients karyotyped, hypodiploidy and hyperdiploidy were seen in 5.1% and 10.7%, respectively. Of those tested, ETV6‐RUNX1 translocation was detected in 13.2%, while BCR‐ABL1 translocation and MLL gene rearrangements were seen in 7.3% and 4.6%, respectively. The cumulative loss to follow up before and during induction was 12.8% (n = 83) and 11.5% (n = 74) died before or during this phase. Induction was successfully completed by only 75.6% (n = 489) of the entire cohort and 69.6% (n = 450) achieved remission.

Conclusion

These patients had ALL with higher risk features than that reported from developed countries. One quarter failed to complete induction chemotherapy. This suboptimal result requires further study and development of innovative interventions, particularly focusing on the causes and solutions for late referral, abandonment, and infections. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1700–1708. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Young patients', parents', and survivors' communication preferences in paediatric oncology: Results of online focus groups

Background  

Guidelines in paediatric oncology encourage health care providers to share relevant information with young patients and parents to enable their active participation in decision making. It is not clear to what extent this mirrors patients' and parents' preferences. This study investigated communication preferences of childhood cancer patients, parents, and survivors of childhood cancer.     

Early childhood leukemia incidence trends in Brazil

Incidence rates of childhood leukemia vary between different regions of the world. The objective of this study was to test possible trends in incidence rate of early childhood leukemia (children <5 years old at the diagnosis) in Brazil. Data from 18 population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) were analyzed (period 1999–2010). The analysis consisted of frequencies, age-adjusted incidence rates, and joinpoint regression results, including annual average percent change (AAPC) in incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The median age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) of overall early childhood leukemia was 61 per million. The AAIR for acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) was 44 per million and nonlymphoid acute leukemia (NLAL) was 14 per million. The median ALL/NLAL ratio was 3.0, suggesting higher incidence rate of NLAL in these settings. The joinpoint analysis demonstrated increased leukemia incidence rate in João Pessoa (AAPC = 20; 95% CI: 3.5, 39.4) and Salvador (AAPC = 8.68; 95% CI: 1.0, 16.9), respectively, whereas incidence rate in São Paulo PBCR decreased (AAPC = ?4.02%; 95% CI: ?6.1%, ?1.9%). Correlation between ALL AAIR and selected variables of socioeconomic (SES) factors was not observed. Increased AAIR regionally overtime was observed. However, the interpretation for such phenomenon should be cautious because it might reflect the access to health care, diagnosis procedures, and improvement of PBCR´s quality. The observed trend supports the necessity of further ecological studies.     

Updated diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis

Background

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) accounts for a significant proportion of the global tuberculosis disease burden. However, current and previous efforts to develop better diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive interventions have focused on TB in adults, and childhood TB has been relatively neglected. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for childhood TB with an emphasis on intrathoracic disease.

Data sources

The literature from a range of sources was reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of the contemporary approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB.

Results

This review summarizes the clinical, radiological, bacteriological, and immunological approaches to diagnose TB infection and disease in children. In addition, we summarize the updated guidelines for the treatment of TB in children.

Conclusions

The development of better diagnostic and therapeutic methods for childhood TB remains a significant challenge. As the strategies for diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB continue to improve and the knowledge base increases, the implementation of these strategies will be crucial.     

Wnt通路中散乱蛋白在儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病中的表达及意义

目的 探讨Wnt信号通路中散乱蛋白（DVL）对儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）发病及预后的意义。方法 选取33例新发ALL患儿为病例组,根据危险度将ALL患儿分为低危组（n=14）、中危组（n=5）和高危组（n=14）;29例免疫性血小板减少症（ITP）患儿为对照组。采集病例组患儿初发及诱导治疗第33天时,以及对照组骨髓血各2 mL,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）检测骨髓血细胞DVL1、DVL2、DVL3 mRNA表达。结果 病例组初发期DVL1、DVL2、DVL3 mRNA表达水平高于缓解期及对照组（P < 0.05）,与对照组比较,病例组缓解期DVL2 mRNA水平升高（P < 0.05）。DVL2 mRNA表达水平在病例组初发期及缓解期均高于DVL 1、DVL 3 mRNA （P < 0.05）。高、中危组DVL1、DVL2 mRNA表达水平高于低危组（P < 0.05）。DVL2 mRNA表达水平在低、中、高危组均高于DVL1、DVL3 mRNA （P < 0.05）。结论 Wnt通路中DVL,尤其是DVL2的表达变化可能对儿童ALL的发病及预后有一定意义。     

Impact of treatment reduction for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia on serum immunoglobulins and antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases

Background

The consequences of current intensive chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for immune defense are a matter of concern. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of reduced compared with intensive (conventional) ALL chemotherapy on serum immunoglobulin levels and specific antibody concentrations against vaccine‐preventable diseases.

Procedure

Patients treated according to Dutch Childhood Oncology Group ALL 10 protocol were stratified by minimal residual disease to receive reduced (standard risk; SR) or intensive (medium risk; MR) intensification/maintenance treatment. Between November 2004 and July 2009 we compared serum immunoglobulins of 110 patients and specific antibodies against diphtheria toxin, tetanus toxin, and Bordetella pertussis antigens of 41 patients of SR and MR groups during chemotherapy.

Results

Immunoglobulin levels showed significantly different patterns between the SR and MR groups. In the MR group IgG, IgA, and IgM levels decreased towards the end of intensive treatment; in the SR group IgG levels increased while IgA and IgM stabilized. In both groups IgM and IgG levels were most affected. Specific antibody levels against vaccine‐preventable diseases decreased in both groups, but more profound in MR group.

Conclusions

Although reduced chemotherapy is beneficial for immunoglobulin level recovery and might prevent susceptibility for infections, specific antibodies remain decreased. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 701–707. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Rates and predictors of visits to primary care physicians during and after treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A population-based cohort study

Introduction

Patient re-engagement with primary care physicians (PCPs) after cancer treatment is essential to facilitate survivorship care and to meet non-oncology primary care needs. We identified rates and predictors of PCP visits both during and after treatment among a population-based cohort of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods

Children of age less than 18 years at ALL diagnosis in Ontario between 2002 and 2012 were linked to administrative data and matched to controls without cancer. PCPs at diagnosis were identified and PCP visit rates during treatment compared between patients and controls. Post-treatment PCP visit rates were also calculated. Predictors included demographic-, disease-, and PCP-related variables.

Results

A total of 743/793 (94%) patients and 3112/3947 (79%) controls had a PCP at diagnosis. Almost half of patients (361/743, 45%) did not visit their PCP during treatment. Visit rate during treatment was 0.64 per person per year (PPPY) versus 1.4 PPPY among controls (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] 0.47, 95th confidence interval [95CI]: 0.40–0.54; p < .0001). No disease- or PCP-related factors were associated with visit rates. Total 711 patients completed frontline therapy; 287 (40.4%) did not have a PCP visit after treatment. Nonetheless, survivors overall visited PCPs post treatment more often than controls (aRR 1.4, 95CI: 1.2–1.6; p < .0001). Survivors who saw their PCP during treatment had post-treatment visit rates twice that of other survivors (aRR 2.0, 95CI: 1.6–2.5; p < .0001).

Conclusions

Only a portion of children with ALL see their PCPs during treatment and return to PCP care following treatment completion. Post-treatment engagement with PCPs may be improved by PCP involvement during ALL treatment.     

Growth effects of methylphenidate among childhood cancer survivors: a 12-month case-matched open-label study

Background

To investigate the effect of stimulant medication [methylphenidate (MPH)] on growth patterns among survivors of childhood cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor).

Procedure

Using a case‐matched comparison design, childhood cancer survivors participating in a 12‐month open‐label MPH trial (n = 51) were compared with childhood cancer survivors not taking MPH (n = 51). Measures of body mass index (BMI), height, and weight were obtained at hospital visits and corrected for gender and age using Centers for Disease Control normative data.

Results

Significant deceleration of BMI and weight, but not height, was observed during the 12‐month MPH trial for those children taking MPH.

Conclusions

Childhood cancer survivors taking MPH experience significant, though modest, deceleration of BMI and weight across the first year of MPH intervention. The absence of height deceleration, and the presence of only modest BMI and weight deceleration, suggests that MPH is reasonably well tolerated by childhood cancer survivors with respect to growth. Such findings are encouraging in light of increasing evidence that MPH mitigates some of the cognitive late‐effects of cancer treatments. Nevertheless, on a case‐by‐case basis, clinicians should balance the intended benefits of MPH with potential growth effects in this vulnerable population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:39–43. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.