[A 3-year follow-up study of 50 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Fifty children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were followed up for an average period of 3 3/12 years. The results showed that 19 (38%) cases were given up after diagnosis. Eight patients only received treatment irregularly for 1 year; among them, 2 discontinued therapy by themselves for 2-3 years and survived free of events, and 6 were lost, Twenty-three received treatment regularly; among them, 3 died of infection, 11 were in continuously complete remission and 9 experienced relapse. The total disease-free survival rate for mean 3 3/12 years is 42% (13/31), exclusive of the 19 given up cases. Statistical analysis indicates a higher relapse rate in those cases with lower initial glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) of peripheral blood lymphocytes.