title: Low incidence of CNS relapse with cranial radiotherapy and intrathecal methotrexate in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the incidence of isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapses in patients of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with a protocol containing cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate as CNS directed therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective non randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  623 children of ALL on MCP 841.
  
  
  METHODS
  CNS relapse was diagnosed, if upon examination of the CSF, more than 50 cells/microliter were observed, or a count of 5 cells which were unequivocally lymphoblasts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of isolated CNS relapse was 1.75% with the use of this treatment. Age, sex, white blood cell count, platelet count, lactic dehydrogenase and immunophenotyping were not significantly related to isolated CNS relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low incidence of isolated CNS relapse demonstrates the adequacy of the presymptomatic CNS therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Bombay.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Raje
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurkure
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Magrath
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Advani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017254:Leukemic Infiltration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate