[Treatment results of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy in children from 1983-1985]

Preliminary clinical course and the results of treatment of the acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia in 11 children have been analysed. All children has been treated with aggressive, multidrug chemotherapy with modified BFM scheme 79/81. In the majority (approximately 80%) of cases baseline high leucocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly and/or lymphadenopathy were seen. Mediastinal tumor was present in nearly 50% of cases. The first complete remission was achieved in the majority of children but complete recovery was noted only in 4 cases (36.4%). In the remaining patients therapy has failed due to early recurrence involving bone marrow or CNS. All recurrence developed within the first 18 month of the treatment. Further studies on new therapy regimens in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood are needed.