PRETREATMENT TESTICULAR BIOPSY IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA

Tae H. Kim, Russell K. Brynes, VICTORK S. Lui, Hilary K. Hargreaves, Hal K. Hawkins, John Woodard, Abdelsalam H. Ragab

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Between August, 1978, and March, 1981, 24 boys with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) (14 non-B-cell non-T-cell, 6 pre-B-cell, and 4 T-cell) underwent bilateral wedge testicular biopsy at initial diagnosis. All testes were of normal size. Histological analysis was performed independently by three pathologists, 4 (3 non-B non-T, and 1 pre-B) of 20 patients with non-T-cell ALL demonstrated testicular focal lymphoblastic involvement. Successful induction chemotherapy without concomitant testicular irradiation completely eradicated testicular infiltrates in all 4 patients. Only 1 of the 4 T-cell patients had pre-treatment testicular infiltrates. Unlike boys with non-B non-T leukaemia, attainment of bone-marrow remission in this patient was associated with persistent testicular disease. These preliminary data indicate that in patients with ALL of non-T-cell type, systemic induction chemotherapy eradicates the small testicular infiltrates of lymphoblasts. Prophylactic testicular irradiation in this group of patients does not seem to be warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)657-658
Number of pages2
JournalThe Lancet
Volume318
Issue number8248
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 26 1981
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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