title: Patterns of Radiation-Associated Lymphopenia in Children with Cancer.
abstract: Adults with cancer commonly develop severe lymphopenia two months following chemoradiation therapy, which is an independent predictor of survival. In this retrospective study of 53 children with central nervous system tumors and sarcomas, the frequency, severity, and duration of radiation-associated lymphopenia was similar to that seen in adults. Pretreatment lymphocyte counts were 1,000 cells/mm(3) or greater in all patients, with 66% experiencing grade III-IV lymphopenia two months after chemoradiation. Lymphocyte counts remained significantly lower than baseline 12 months later. Further studies are needed to determine if this is also associated with poorer survival, as seen in adults.
authors.affiliation: a Medical Oncology Service , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , Maryland , USA.
authors.forename: Miloš D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miljković
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Oncology.
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Oncology.
authors.forename: Xiaobu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiation Oncology , Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors.forename: Susannah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellsworth
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiation Oncology , Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terezakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brain tumors; Lymphopenia; Radiation therapy; Sarcomas