Abstract
Aim
We aimed to describe and contrast the epidemiology of haematological malignancies
among 0–14 and 15–24-year-olds in northern England from 1990 to 2002 and compare clinical
trial entry by age group.
Patients and methods
Incidence rates were examined by age, sex and period of diagnosis and differences
were tested using Poisson regression. Differences and trends in survival were assessed
using Cox regression.
Results
1680 subjects were included comprising 948 leukaemias and 732 lymphomas. Incidence
rates for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were significantly higher for 0–14 compared
to 15–24-year-olds, whilst Hodgkin lymphoma showed the reverse. No significant changes
in incidence were observed. 60% of leukaemia patients aged 15–24 years entered trials
compared to 92% of 0–14-year-olds. Survival rates were significantly lower and improved
less markedly over time for 15–24 compared to 0–14-year-olds, particularly for leukaemia.
Conclusions
Trial accrual rates need to be improved amongst 15–24-year-olds and a more structured
follow-up approach adopted for this unique population.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 13, 2008
Accepted:
September 25,
2008
Received in revised form:
September 15,
2008
Received:
August 7,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
