Abstract

CASTILLO-MARTINEZ, Io Daiela et al. Quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during induction therapy with PedsQL Cancer Module^©. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2009, vol.66, n.5, pp.410-418. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. Survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is 80% in accordance with actual protocols. We ignore quality of life (QoL) during these chronic treatments, especially in our institution. The aim of this pilot study was to measure QoL in stable children with ALL during the first part of treatment (induction therapy) with PedsQL Cancer Module^©. Methods. We made two measurements in children with recent diagnosis of ALL and determined changes in the QoL between the beginning and the end of induction therapy. We included 26 patients from 2 to 18 years of age with ALL, at 2 weeks and 2 months after diagnosis, and divided them into four groups: 2-4, 5-7, 8-12, and 13-18 years of age. Results. In the second measurement, we observed a better QoL in relation to an adaptation process in the child and remission of symptoms. Conclusions. PedsQL Cancer Module^© was a useful instrument for measuring QoL and detected changes in children with ALL during induction therapy.

Keywords : Leukemia, lymphoblastic, acute; induction therapy; quality of life; PedsQL Cancer Module^©.

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