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Biomedical subjects

S B Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to S B Murphy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Range of motion in anterior femoroacetabular impingement.

The range of motion of normal hips and hips with femoroacetabular impingement relative to some specific anatomic reference landmarks is unknown. We therefore described: (1) the range of motion pattern relative to landmarks; (2) the location of the impingement zones in normal and impinging hips; and (3) the influence of surgical débridement on the range of motion. We used a previously developed and validated noninvasive 3-D CT-based method for kinematic hip analysis to compare the range of motion pattern, the location of impingement, and the effect of virtual surgical reconstruction in 28 hips with anterior femoroacetabular impingement and a control group of 33 normal hips. Hips with femoroacetabular impingement had decreased flexion, internal rotation, and abduction. Internal rotation decreased with increasing flexion and adduction. The calculated impingement zones were localized in the anterosuperior quadrant of the acetabulum and were similar in the two groups and in impingement subgroups. The average improvement of internal rotation was 5.4 degrees for pincer hips, 8.5 degrees for cam hips, and 15.7 degrees for mixed impingement. This method helps the surgeon quantify the severity of impingement and choose the appropriate treatment option; it provides a basis for future image-guided surgical reconstruction in femoroacetabular impingement with less invasive techniques.

Acetabulum↗

[Conventional vs minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. A prospective study of rehabilitation and complications].

BACKGROUND: In a prospective, nonrandomized study the outcome in terms of rehabilitation and complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA) through a superior capsulotomy exposure (study group) was compared to THA performed through a direct lateral exposure (control group). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group (106 THA) and the control group (107 THA) were controlled for complexity and had no significant differences in age, sex, diagnosis, or body mass index. RESULTS: The study group had improved recovery at 6 weeks after surgery which was statistically significant (p<0.001). In addition, the study group had a lower incidence of perioperative complications. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates the potential that less-invasive surgical techniques with the philosophy of maximally preserving the abductors, posterior capsule, and short rotators may result in a safer operation with an accelerated recovery.

Adult↗

Estimation of pelvic tilt on anteroposterior X-rays--a comparison of six parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To compare six different parameters described in literature for estimation of pelvic tilt on an anteroposterior pelvic radiograph and to create a simple nomogram for tilt correction of prosthetic cup version in total hip arthroplasty. DESIGN: Simultaneous anteroposterior and lateral pelvic radiographs are taken routinely in our institution and were analyzed prospectively. The different parameters (including three distances and three ratios) were measured and compared to the actual pelvic tilt on the lateral radiograph using simple linear regression analysis. PATIENTS: One hundred and four consecutive patients (41 men, 63 women with a mean age of 31.7 years, SD 9.2 years, range 15.7-59.1 years) were studied. RESULTS: The strongest correlation between pelvic tilt and one of the six parameters for both men and women was the distance between the upper border of the symphysis and the sacrococcygeal joint. The correlation coefficient was 0.68 for men (P<0.001) and 0.61 for women (P<0.001). Based on this linear correlation, a nomogram was created that enables fast, tilt-corrected cup version measurements in clinical routine use. CONCLUSION: This simple method for correcting variations in pelvic tilt on plain radiographs can potentially improve the radiologist's ability to diagnose and interpret malformations of the acetabulum (particularly acetabular retroversion and excessive acetabular overcoverage) and post-operative orientation of the prosthetic acetabulum.

Adolescent↗

Natural killer cell lymphoma: report of two pediatric cases, therapeutic options, and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cell lymphomas are rapidly fatal malignancies that to the authors' knowledge are rare in children. In the current study, the authors report the cases of two boys with NK cell lymphomas with refractory disease who both were salvaged with high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation and compare these patients with those in the published experience. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify other cases of pediatric patients with NK cell lymphomas, their treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: One of the patients in the current study developed two recurrences and the other patient experienced early disease progression during front-line treatment. Both then were treated with high dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell rescue. At last follow-up, the patients remained free of disease at 15 months and 16 months, respectively, after transplantation (48 months and 22 months, respectively, from the time of diagnosis). In addition to the 2 patients in the current study, the authors found 13 pediatric patients reported in the literature to date. Of the 7 patients with localized (Stage I-II) disease, 5 patients (71%) were reported to be alive 1-107 months after diagnosis. Of the 6 patients with Stage IV disease, only the 2 patients who received high dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue (33%) were alive at the time of last follow-up (at 30 months and 12 months, respectively). Including the patients reported in the current study, 9 of 15 children with NK cell lymphoma (all stages) (60%) were reported to be alive at the time of last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although pediatric NK cell lymphomas rapidly can become fatal, it appears that high dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation is effective therapy, especially in patients with advanced or resistant disease. Further follow-up is needed to determine whether this treatment approach will be curative.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Results of a randomized phase III trial in children and adolescents with advanced stage diffuse large cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

The Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) adopted a histology-based approach to the management of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) utilizing the National Cancer Institute Working Formulation for Clinical Usage. Patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) were treated on a separate protocol from small cell diffuse undifferentiated or lymphoblastic lymphomas. This study assessed the overall and event free survival of children with DLCL and determined the effects of cyclophosphamide upon these end-points in a prospective randomized trial. One hundred and twenty eligible stage III or IV NHL patients with the confirmed diagnosis of diffuse large cell or immunoblastic histology were enrolled on study between October 1986 and November 1991. Patients were randomized to receive or not receive cyclophosphamide; 58 received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and prednisone (ACOP+) and 62 were treated with doxorubicin, vincristine, 6-MP, and prednisone (APO). In both treatment programs methotrexate was substituted when the doxorubicin cumulative dose reached 450 mg/m2. Radiation was administered to bulky disease if progression or no response were observed after induction therapy. Planned duration of therapy was 12 months. The 5-year event free survival (EFS) rates of patients treated with ACOP+ versus APO were 62% +/- 7% and 72% +/- 6%, respectively. While there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms (p = 0.28), we can only say that we are 95% confident that the difference in 5-year EFS falls in the wide range from 28% in favor of APO to 8% favoring ACOP+. Marrow suppression was the main toxicity with one fatal infection. There were three other deaths on study due to respiratory failure in patients with mediastinal masses. Only one patient experienced cardiotoxicity requiring discontinuation of doxorubicin. Ten patients received radiation therapy to achieve. In conclusion the efficacy of elimination of cyclophosphamide from the treatment program of children and adolescents with advanced stage diffuse large cell lymphoma was inconclusive as to its effect on EFS. Furthermore, the majority of the patients (92%) did not require any radiation therapy to bulky disease indicating that the chemotherapy regimens are quite efficient for achievement of complete remission.

Adolescent↗

Molecular and virologic characteristics of lymphoid malignancies in children with AIDS.

PURPOSE: To characterize AIDS-associated lymphoid malignancies in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied lymphomas and B-cell leukemias from 25 children with AIDS for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene clonality, c-myc oncogene abnormalities, and presence of HIV and Epstein-Barr virus. RESULTS: Monoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were identified in 22 of 23 cases tested, the single exception being one of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Immunoglobulin gene/c-myc translocations were found in 3 of 4 cases of B (surface immunoglobulin-positive)-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 8 of 11 small noncleaved cell lymphomas, and 1 of 5 large cell lymphomas. Mutations of c-myc were found in 2 of 13 small noncleaved cell lymphomas, 1 of 2 Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue neoplasms, and 1 of 4 Epstein-Barr virus-negative B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Six small noncleaved cell lymphomas, both mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue neoplasms and one of large cell lymphoma had high levels of Epstein-Barr virus in tumor tissue. Hodgkin's disease tissue and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia tumors were negative for EBV. Proviral HIV-1 was not detected in any tumor. CONCLUSIONS: AIDS-associated lymphoid malignancies in children appear to have a different distribution of histologic subtypes than adult HIV-infected individuals, fewer large cell lymphomas occur in children. The small noncleaved cell lymphomas exhibit a lower frequency as well as different locations of c-myc mutations than AIDS-associated small noncleaved cell lymphomas in adults.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effects of cranial radiation in children with high risk T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Pediatric Oncology Group report.

Contemporary chemotherapy has significantly improved event-free survival among patients with T cell-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Unlike B-precursor ALL, most investigators are still using cranial radiation (CRT) and are hesitant to rely solely on intrathecal therapy for T-ALL. In this study we assessed the effects of CRT upon event-free survival and central nervous system (CNS) relapses in a cohort of children with high risk features of T cell leukemia. In a series of six consecutive studies (1987-1995) patients were non-randomly assigned their CNS prophylaxis per individual protocol. These protocols were based on POG 8704 which relied on rotating drug combinations (cytarabine/cyclophosphamide, teniposide/Ara-C, and vincristine/doxorubicin/6-MP/prednisone) postinduction. Modifications such as high-dose cytarabine, intermediate-dose methotrexate, and the addition of G-CSF, were designed to give higher CNS drug levels (decreasing the need for CRT), to eliminate epidophyllotoxin (decreasing the risk of secondary leukemia), and to reduce therapy-related neutropenia (pilot studies POG 9086, 9295, 9296, 9297, 9398). All patients included in this analysis qualified for POG high risk criteria, WBC >50000/mm3 and/or CNS leukemia. Patients without CNS involvement received 16 doses of age-adjusted triple intra-thecal therapy (TIT = hydrocortisone, MTX, and cytarabine) whereas patients with CNS disease received three more doses of TIT during induction and consolidation. Patients who received CRT were treated with 2400 cGy (POG 8704) or 1800 cGy (POG 9086 and 9295). CNS therapy included CRT in 144 patients while the remaining 78 patients received no radiation by original protocol design. There were 155 males and 57 females with a median age of 8.2 years. The median WBC for the CRT+ and CRT- patients were 186000/mm3 and 200000/mm3, respectively. CNS involvement at diagnosis was seen in 16% of the CRT+ and 23% of the CRT- groups. The complete continuous remission rate (CCR) was not significantly different for the irradiated vs. non-irradiated groups (P = 0.46). The 3-year event-free survival was 65% (s.e. 6%) and 63% (s.e. 4%) for the non-irradiated vs. the radiated group. However, the 3-year CNS relapse rate was significantly higher amongst patients who did not receive CRT; 18% (s.e. 5%) vs. 7% (s.e. 3%) in the irradiated group (P = 0.012). Our analysis in a non-randomized setting, suggests that CRT did not significantly correlate with event-free survival but omitting it had an adverse effect on the CNS involvement at the time of relapse.

Adolescent↗

Slow disappearance of peripheral blood blasts is an adverse prognostic factor in childhood T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

The rapidity of response to induction therapy is emerging as an important prognostic factor in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We studied the relationship between rapidity of reduction in peripheral blood blast count and treatment outcome in children with T cell ALL (T-ALL). Initial systemic chemotherapy included prednisone, vincristine, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. A Cox analysis evaluated the correlation between the length of time that the peripheral blood absolute blast count (ABC) remained above 1000/mm3 following the start of treatment and event-free survival (EFS). Data were available for 281 patients. Patients for whom the ABC remained >1000/mm3 for 3 or more days following administration of intensive therapy had an estimated 5-year EFS of 34.2% (s.e. = 7.2) vs 58.3% (3.5) for those whose ABC was <1000/mm3 within 0-2 days, with a hazard ratio (HR) of failure of 2.03 (95% CI = 1.35-3.06, P < 0.001) for the slower responding patients. Pre-treatment of some type (usually with prednisone) occurred in 128 patients (average duration 1.7 days). When this was accounted for, patients with an ABC >1000/mm3 for 5 or more days following the start of treatment of any kind had a HR for failure of 2.27 (95% CI = 1.38-3.72, P < 0.001) compared to those responding within 0-4 days. Inclusion of other clinical and biological factors in a multivariate analysis did not alter the prognostic importance of slower blast clearance. Pediatric patients with T-ALL who have a circulating blast count >1000/mm3 at diagnosis and a relatively slower response to initial treatment are at increased risk of treatment failure. Rapidity of response may therefore be a clinically useful prognostic factor for patients with T-ALL.

Adolescent↗

CNS involvement in children with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of CNS involvement at diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), to characterize its pattern of presentation, and to determine its prognostic significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 445 children (1975 through 1995) diagnosed with NHL (small noncleaved cell NHL/B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [SNCC NHL/B-ALL], 201 patients; lymphoblastic, 113; large cell, 119; other, 12). Tumor burden was estimated by serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement and reclassification of disease stage irrespective of CNS involvement (modified stage). RESULTS: Thirty-six of 445 children with newly diagnosed NHL had CNS involvement (lymphoma cells in the CSF [n = 23], cranial nerve palsy [n = 9], both features [n = 4]), representing 13%, 7%, and 1% of small noncleaved cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, and large-cell cases, respectively. By univariate analysis, CNS disease at diagnosis did not significantly impact event-free survival (P =. 095), whereas stage and LDH did; however, children with CNS disease at diagnosis were at 2.0 times greater risk of death than those without CNS disease at diagnosis. In a multivariate analysis, CNS disease was not significantly associated with either overall or event-free survival, whereas both serum LDH and stage influenced both overall and event-free survival. Among cases of SNCC NHL/B-ALL, CNS disease was significantly associated with event-free and overall survival (univariate analysis); however, in multivariate analysis, only LDH had independent prognostic significance. Elevated serum LDH or higher modified stage were associated with a trend toward poorer overall survival among children with CNS disease. CONCLUSION: A greater tumor burden at diagnosis adversely influences the treatment outcome of children with NHL and CNS disease at diagnosis, suggesting a need for ongoing improvement in both systemic and CNS-directed therapy.

Adolescent↗

Racial differences in the survival of childhood B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Pediatric Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: We conducted a historic cohort study to test the hypothesis that, after adjustment for biologic factors, African-American (AA) children and Spanish surname (SS) children with newly diagnosed B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia had lower survival than did comparable white children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1981 to 1994, 4,061 white, 518 AA, and 507 SS children aged 1 to 20 years were treated on three successive Pediatric Oncology Group multicenter randomized clinical trials. RESULTS: AA and SS patients were more likely to have adverse prognostic features at diagnosis and lower survival than were white patients. The 5-year cumulative survival rates were (probability +/- SE) 81.9% +/- 0.6%, 68.6% +/- 2.1%, and 74.9% +/- 2.0% for white, AA, and SS children, respectively. Adjusting for age, leukocyte count, sex, era of treatment, and leukemia blast cell ploidy, we found that AA children had a 42% excess mortality rate compared with white children (proportional hazards ratio [PHR] = 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1. 80), and SS children had a 33% excess mortality rate compared with white children (PHR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.49). CONCLUSION: Clinical presentation, tumor biology, and deviations from prescribed therapy did not explain the differences in survival and event-free survival that we observed, although differences seem to be diminishing over time with improvements in therapy. The disparity in outcome for AA and SS children is most likely related to variations in chemotherapeutic response to therapy and not to compliance. Further improvements in outcome may require individualized dosing based on specific pharmacogenetic profiles, especially for AA and SS children.

Adolescent↗

Burkitt lymphoma is immunophenotypically different from Burkitt-like lymphoma in young persons.

INTRODUCTION: Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL) is a provisional category of B-cell lymphoma which is morphologically intermediate between Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). The clinical significance of this morphology is controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 41 cases of pediatric B-cell lymphoma by immunohistochemistry for proteins associated with proto-oncogenes c-myc, BCL-2 and BCL-6 and a subset of cases (with adequate slides) for a proliferation-associated marker (Ki-67) and for apoptosis (Apop-Tag). Sixteen cases of BLL, thirteen cases of BL and twelve cases of LBCL were examined. RESULTS: Our results showed BCL-6 expression in 16 of 16 BLL, 4 of 13 BL, and 9 of 12 LBCL; c-myc expression in 14 of 15 BLL, 9 of 13 BL, and 12 of 12 LBCL; and BCL-2 expression in 2 of 16 BLL, 9 of 13 BL, and 6 of 12 LBCL. Mean apoptotic index for BLL was 10.3% (n = 6); for BL was 17.1% (n = 5); and for LBCL was 10.9% (n = 6). Ki-67 was diffusely reactive in all cases tested. There was a significantly higher proportion of BLL than BL which expressed BCL-6 (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Labeling for BCL-6 distinguishes BLL from BL. It is likely that in children in North America, BLL is biologically distinct from BL and more closely resembles a subset of LBCL.

Adolescent↗

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) associated with small non-cleaved cell lymphoma in a child with AIDS.

The association of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) with a small non-cleaved cell lymphoma is described in a child with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed a malignant pleural effusion and radiologic evidence of multiple solid tumors. HHV-8 DNA and Epstein-Barr virus DNA were identified in pleural fluid cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The serum antibody titer against lytic HHV-8 proteins was 1:640; antibodies to latent HHV-8 proteins were not detected. Cytogenetic analysis of malignant cells revealed three abnormal karyotypes sharing the common finding of a t(8;14) translocation. Rearrangement of c-myc was demonstrated by PCR analysis. Oligoclonal JH immunoglobulin bands were found. Insufficient pleural fluid cells were available to permit localization of HHV-8 to malignant cells by in situ hybridization. This malignancy contrasts with HHV-8-associated lymphomas reported in adult patients with AIDS with respect to cell morphology, c-myc translocation, and oligoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. HHV-8 is associated with a wider spectrum of malignancies than recognized previously.

Adult↗

Intensive high-dose asparaginase consolidation improves survival for pediatric patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and advanced stage lymphoblastic lymphoma: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that high-dose asparaginase consolidation therapy improves survival in pediatric patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and advanced stage lymphoblastic lymphoma. Five hundred and fifty-two patients (357 patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 195 patients with advanced stage lymphoblastic lymphoma) were enrolled in POG study 8704 (T-3). Treatment included rotating combinations of high-dose myelosuppressive chemotherapy agents proven to be effective in T cell ALL in other POG group-wide or local institutional protocols (including vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, asparaginase, teniposide, cytarabine and mercaptopurine). After achieving a complete remission (CR), patients were randomized to receive or not receive high-dose intensive asparaginase consolidation (25,000 IU/m2) given weekly for 20 weeks by intramuscular injection. Intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate, hydrocortisone and cytarabine) was given to prevent CNS disease, and CNS irradiation was used only for patients with leukemia and an initial WBC of >50,000/microl or patients with active CNS disease at diagnosis. CR was achieved in 96% of patients. The high-dose asparaginase regimen was significantly superior to the control regimen for both the leukemia and lymphoma subgroups. Four-year continuous complete remission rate (CCR) for the leukemia patients was 68% (s.e. 4%) with asparaginase as compared to 55% (s.e. 4%) without. For the lymphoma patients, 4-year CCR was 78% (s.e. 5%) with asparaginase and 64% (s.e. 6%) in the controls. The overall one-sided logrank test had a P value <0.001 favoring asparaginase, while corresponding values were P = 0.002 for ALL and P = 0.048 lymphoblastic lymphoma. Toxicities were tolerable, but there were 18 failures due to secondary malignancies (16 with non-lymphocytic leukemia or myelodysplasia). Neither WBC at diagnosis (leukemia patients) nor lymphoma stage were major prognostic factors. We conclude that when added to a backbone of effective rotating agents, repeated doses of asparaginase during early treatment improve the outcome for patients with T cell leukemia and advanced stage lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Adolescent↗

Periacetabular osteotomy without abductor dissection using direct anterior exposure.

The direct anterior exposure is a new abductor sparing surgical approach to perform periacetabular osteotomy, developed in an effort to eliminate the postoperative abductor morbidity associated with the classic Smith-Petersen approach. The direct anterior exposure also allows anterior arthrotomy of the hip joint, necessary to deal with intraarticular disease of the acetabular rim that is common in adult patients who require periacetabular osteotomy. The direct anterior exposure combines the medial portion of the classic Smith-Petersen iliofemoral exposure with or without the second window of the ilioinguinal exposure. An osteotomy of the anterior superior spine is done routinely to facilitate the approach by relaxing the attached sartorius and inguinal ligament origins. The authors' experience with the direct anterior exposure involves 195 consecutive periacetabular osteotomies done since 1992, with 60 operations done using the full approach through two windows and 135 operations done using the limited approach through one window. There was no difference in functional or radiographic results, with both approaches allowing rapid functional recovery, excellent radiographic corrections, rapid bony healing, and minimal formation of heterotopic bone. No osteonecrosis or vascular injuries were seen. In nearly all patients, abductor function had returned to preoperative levels by 3 months after surgery, in distinct contrast to the authors' previous experience with the Smith-Petersen approach. The authors consider the direct anterior exposure to be the surgical approach of choice for periacetabular osteotomy, with the more limited version proving satisfactory in all patients except the largest and most muscular patients. The full version is useful in large male patients.

Acetabulum↗

Planning acetabular redirection osteotomies based on joint contact pressures.

Acetabular redirection osteotomy can be used to relieve pain, improve function, and extend the life of dysplastic hip joints. To understand better the factors that may determine the acetabular reorientation that minimizes pressures, joint contact pressures were calculated by computer assisted methods in 70 dysplastic and 12 normal hips (82 patients). Calculated pressures were consistent with pressures estimated and measured by other investigators. Contact areas were 26% smaller, and contact pressures were 23% higher, in the dysplastic hips compared with the normal hips. When the acetabula were reoriented to minimize contact pressures for an activity such as the midstance phase of gait, then contact pressures were elevated for dissimilar activities such as stair ascent. Contact pressures in the dysplastic hips were reduced when the acetabula were rotated in the frontal plane to increase lateral coverage or rotated in the sagittal plane to increase anterior coverage. In most of the dysplastic hips, contact pressures were reduced twice as much when the acetabulum was rotated in the frontal and the sagitta' planes. Computer assisted methods to quantify joint contact pressures can be used to assess potential candidates for reconstruction, plan acetabular redirection surgery, and possibly may improve the long term success of acetabular redirection osteotomy.

Acetabulum↗

Treatment of localized primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone in children: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: The treatment of primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) in children has traditionally included radiotherapy to the primary site; more recently, it has included systemic chemotherapy. Because of concern about the untoward effects of treatment in a disease that is curable, we attempted to determine whether radiotherapy can be safely excluded from treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of three consecutive Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) studies were examined to determine the impact on outcome of radiotherapy as adjunctive treatment in children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy for early-stage primary lymphoma of bone. RESULTS: From 1983 to 1997, 31 patients with localized PLB were entered onto POG studies of early-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Between 1983 and 1986, seven patients were treated with 8 months of chemotherapy with irradiation (XRT) of the primary site. After 1986, patients were treated without XRT; four received 8 months of chemotherapy, and 20 received 9 weeks of chemotherapy. Primary sites were the femur (nine), tibia (eight), mandible (five), mastoid (one), maxilla (one), zygomatic arch (one), rib (one), clavicle (one), scapula (one), ulna (one), talus (one), and calcaneous (one). Histologic classification revealed 21 cases of large cell lymphoma, five cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma, two cases of small, noncleaved-cell lymphoma, and three cases of NHL that could not be classified further. One patient relapsed at a distant site 22 months after completion of therapy. There have been no deaths. CONCLUSION: Localized PLB is curable in most children and adolescents with a 9-week chemotherapy regimen of modest intensity, and radiotherapy is an unnecessary adjunct.

Adolescent↗