CNS prophylaxis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison of two methods a Southwest Oncology Group study

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were randomized to one of two treatment options for CNS prophylaxis. All patients received intrathecal therapy over a one-year period with methotrexate, hydrocortisone and cytosine arabinoside. One-half of the patients also received 2400 rad cranial radiation over 2 1/2 weeks. There was no significant difference in CNS relapse rate, length of hematologic remission or survival between the two groups. No further CNS relapses have been observed for the last four years. CNS relapse was associated with subsequent disease recurrence in the 67% of patients.