[Testicular relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The experience of a pediatrics service]

Testicular relapse in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a problem which has been developing more and more, as the therapeutic protocols of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are improving. Its appearance, specially during chemotherapy, makes the prognosis of the disease poorer. There have been some diagnostic methods, used in the screening of this situation. The use of more aggressive therapeutic protocols can lead to more encouraging results. The authors of the research present seven children with testicular relapse, which represent 17% of the total group of fourty one boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treated at St. o Antonio Pediatric Ward. They analyse the time of onset, the diagnostic approach of the testicular lesion, the therapeutic protocols chosen for each case and the results.