Abstract 36: Clinical Profiles and 1-Year Survival of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Cancer Unit

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest childhood cancer globally and mimics common childhood conditions, creating diagnostic challenges. We described the baseline feature at diagnosis and established 1-year overall survival. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, medical records of children <16 years of age diagnosed with ALL between 1st June 2016 and 31st May 2020 were reviewed. The frequencies and proportions of symptoms, signs, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes were extracted and described. 1-year overall survival was estimated using Kaplan Meier curves. Research and Ethics Committee of Mbarara University of Science and Technology provided ethics approval. Results: Fifty one (51) children had been diagnosed with ALL at MRRH. They presented with fever, 44 (86.3%), weight loss 34(66.7%), cough 28(54.9%), bleeding tendencies 21(41.2%), limb pains 20(39.4%), and abdominal distension 8(15.7%). The signs were pallor, 44(86.3%), lymphadenopathy 39(76.5%), hepatosplenomegaly 37(72.5%), pyrexia 18(35.3%), bone tenderness 12(23.5%) and petieche 11(21.6%). Thirty (58.8%) children had leukocytosis (WBC>12 × 109/L), 15(29.4%) had WBC>50,000 and all children had anemia (Hb<11.0g/dl) at admission, 32 (62.7%) had severe anemia (Hb <7.0g/dl). Forty eight (94.1%) children had thrombocytopenia (<150.0 × 109/L), 32(62.7%) had severe thrombocytopenia (<50 × 109/L). 1-year overall survival was 63.6% (95%CI (49.8-77.5). Conclusion: Children with ALL present with non-specific clinical features that can mimic other illnesses and 1-year overall survival was low at MRRH. Children with a combination of fever, pallor, bleeding; and leukocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia should be actively investigated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia for early treatment initiation. Citation Format: Stella Zalwango, Peters Kalubi, Barnabas Atwiine. Clinical Profiles and 1-Year Survival of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Cancer Unit [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 36.