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Bone marrow necrosis in children with malignant disease
Cancer
|October 1, 1985
Summary
Bone marrow necrosis in children with cancer, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and neuroblastoma, is rare but does not indicate a poor prognosis. This study found favorable outcomes for affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Pathology
Background:
- Bone marrow necrosis (BMN) is a rare complication in pediatric malignancies.
- Previous studies suggested BMN may indicate a poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define clinical and laboratory features of BMN in children with cancer.
- To assess the prognostic significance of BMN in pediatric malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1419 pediatric cancer patient records.
- Analysis of clinical presentations, laboratory findings, and outcomes for patients with BMN.
Main Results:
- Seven pediatric patients (4 newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 1 relapsed ALL, 2 neuroblastoma) had BMN.
- Common symptoms included severe bone pain, tenderness, and fever; elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase was consistent.
- No evidence of severe infection or disseminated intravascular coagulation was found.
- BMN did not correlate with poor outcomes; patients achieved long-term remission.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow necrosis is an infrequent finding in pediatric malignancies.
- BMN in children with ALL or neuroblastoma does not appear to confer a poor prognosis.
- BMN is not associated with severe infection or DIC in this cohort.