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Late effects risk profiles using the long-term follow-up guidelines in identical twin survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Howell DL, Lew G, Comeaux LG, Meacham LR

Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Service, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. dlhowell1998@msn.com

As the number of pediatric cancer survivors increases, the cost of cure (i.e., late effects) needs to be measured through a consistent mechanism. Through the use of the Children's Oncology Group's (COG) Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) guidelines, individualized risk profiles can be discerned for each off-therapy patient. These guidelines were used to compare and contrast risk profiles for identical twin females treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The first twin was treated for high-risk leukemia and the second for standard-risk leukemia, each with different ALL protocols. Timely use of the LTFU guidelines has aided in identifying and treating their adverse late effects.

Published 19 July 2007 in Pediatr Blood Cancer, 49(3): 349-52.
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