INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS THERAPY SCHEMES ON THE GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT OF CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA OR NON-HODGKIN-LYMPHOMA

A total of 74 children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia(ALL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were involved in a retrospective analysis of their physical growth during and after the therapy. Out of this total number, 54 children were subjected to radiochemotherapy in compliance with the VII/(81) scheme, and another 20 children in compliance with the LSA(2)L(2) scheme. At the beginning of the therapy the average height-standard deviation score (H-SDS) for both groups of patients corresponded with the population average. The patients subjected to the VIII(81) scheme showed, throughout the observation period of five years from the beginning of the therapy, a height normal for their age group. Contrary to this observation, the patients subjected to the LSA(2)L(2) scheme experienced a significantly different growth in the period under observation and continually lost height in comparison to the normal population. The same results were experienced with a smaller group of patients whose growth was followed up for eight years from the beginning of therapy. 16 patients (VII/81 n = 4/LSA(2)L(2) n = 12) reached their final heigth. For the patients of the VII(81) scheme the final heigth showed an average H-SDS of 0.27 and for the patients of the LSA(2)L(2) scheme of -1.22 (p = 0.068). Considering that the same cranial radiotherapy (max. is Gy for both schemes) and a comparable intensive induction therapy were applied, it must be concluded that the intensity and duration of the maintenance treatment are the critical factors initiating a different growth behaviour of the two groups subjected to radio-chemotherapeutical schemes.