Dentofacial development in long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A comparison of three treatment modalities

Cancer. 1990 Dec 15;66(12):2645-52. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19901215)66:12<2645::aid-cncr2820661230>3.0.co;2-s.

Abstract

Ninety-seven children who were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia before 10 years of age and treated with chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy plus 1800-cGy cranial irradiation (RT), or chemotherapy plus 2400-cGy RT were evaluated for effects of therapy on dentofacial development. All patients were seen at least 5 years postdiagnosis. Dental abnormalities were determined from panoramic radiographs, and craniofacial evaluations were made from lateral cephalometric radiographs. Ninety-one (94%) of all patients and 41 (100%) of patients younger than 5 years of age at diagnosis had abnormal dental development. The severity of these abnormalities was greater in children who received treatment before 5 years of age and in those who received RT. Observed dental abnormalities included tooth agenesis, arrested root development, microdontia, and enamel dysplasias. Craniofacial abnormalities occurred in 18 of 20 (90%) of those patients who received chemotherapy plus 2400-cGy RT before 5 years of age. Mean cephalometric values of this group showed significant deficient mandibular development. The results of this study suggest that the severity of dentofacial-developmental abnormalities secondary to antileukemia therapy are related to the age of the patient at the initiation of treatment and the use of cranial RT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / chemically induced
  • Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxillofacial Development / drug effects*
  • Maxillofacial Development / radiation effects
  • Odontogenesis / drug effects
  • Odontogenesis / radiation effects
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / physiopathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Tooth Diseases / chemically induced
  • Tooth Diseases / etiology*
  • Tooth Root / drug effects
  • Tooth Root / radiation effects