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Prognostic significance of biochemical markers in African Burkitt’s lymphoma

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Abstract

Background and purpose

Endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma (eBL) remains the prevalent form of paediatric cancer in tropical Africa with subtle pathological differences. This calls for intensified efforts to validate the global prognostic markers within local settings for improved cancer treatment and survival. This study proposes prognostic markers for enhanced eBL treatment and management.

Patients and method

One hundred and eighty histologically and/or clinically diagnosed BL patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana were eligible for this cross-sectional eight-year retrospective study. Biochemical, clinical and demographic data, before chemotherapy administration, were documented and examined for their progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) significance.

Results

A mean age of 6 (SD=2.7, range: 1–16) years was observed with general male dominance (M:F=1.69:1). Total serum lactate dehydrogenase (HR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.25–3.32; log rank=8.3; p=0.004), serum creatinine (HR=3.59; 95% CI, 1.62–7.98; log rank=15.4; p=0.002) and St. Jude stage (HR=1.74; 95% CI, 1.11–2.73; log rank=8.0; p=0.015) were important independent prognostic biochemical markers for both PFS and OS. Age, serum calcium, uric acid, potassium, sodium and phosphorus were non-prognostic.

Conclusion

The better monitoring of these prognostic indices coupled with risk-stratification treatment may improve patients’ survival, especially in resource-limited settings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

    Fareed Kow Nanse Arthur & Lawrence Owusu

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine School of Medical Sciences (SMS), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

    Francis Agyemang Yeboah

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana

    Francis Agyemang Yeboah

  4. Department of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital/SMS, KATH, Kumasi, Ghana

    Theresa Rettig & Alex Osei-Akoto

Authors
  1. Fareed Kow Nanse Arthur
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  2. Lawrence Owusu
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  3. Francis Agyemang Yeboah
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  4. Theresa Rettig
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  5. Alex Osei-Akoto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lawrence Owusu.

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Arthur, F.K.N., Owusu, L., Yeboah, F.A. et al. Prognostic significance of biochemical markers in African Burkitt’s lymphoma. Clin Transl Oncol 13, 731–736 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-011-0724-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-011-0724-8

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