[Adults treated as children for acute lymphocytic leukemia--methotrexate, late effects and quality of life]

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1999 Feb 10;119(4):499-503.
[Article in Norwegian]

Abstract

From 1975 to 1980, 153 Norwegian children were diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. In 1995, all 98 survivors were studied and compared to matched family controls. 132 children were treated with the national protocol. Of these, 93 (70.5%) were survivors at the time of the study. The remaining five survivors were treated with different treatment schemes. The national protocol included methotrexate infusions combined with intrathecal methotrexate as prophylactics against neuroleukaemia, instead of the irradiation. Neither doxorubicin nor cyclophosphamide were included. In this study, a questionnaire was used that covered demographic data, quality of life, and medical information the response rates were 96% (94 persons) for survivors and 92% (90 persons) for family controls. Information was also obtained for the remaining four survivors. No significant differences were found between survivors and controls with regard to quality of life and demographics, with one exception, Somatisation on the GHQ-28. Hospital records of all patients were checked for possible late effects. One case of serious sequela (hemiparesis during therapy) was found, probably related to methotrexate therapy. Seven other serious, possible sequelae were recorded, but probably not related to methotrexate. There were no cases of secondary malignant neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / mortality
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / psychology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Regional Medical Programs
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Methotrexate