Objective: To determine the event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and predictors of outcome in pediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma treated with a uniform protocol.
Method: This hospital record review was done between June, 2016 to March, 2019 and data was extracted from January, 2003 to May, 2016 for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in patients aged 1 to 18 years (n=27). EFS and OS were calculated by the Kaplan Meier method. Cox proportional model and the Cox regression model were used for univariate analysis and multivariate analysis respectively.
Results: EFS and OS at three years was 70.4% (CI: 0.49-0.84) and 77.2% (CI: 0.56 -0.89), respectively. On univariate analysis stage III and IV, hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL and presence of pleural effusion predicted lower survival. On multivariate analysis, pleural effusion was a significant predictor of low EFS and OS.
Conclusion: Pleural effusion is a potential clinical marker of poor outcome among children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma.