Factors affecting survival in White and Asian children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Some studies suggest that Asian children with leukaemia have a worse outcom e than Whites. Survival of Asians with ALL treated at the Birmingham Childr en's Hospital from 1975 to 1994 was the same as that of Whites, despite the ir greater deprivation and poorer nutrition. For one 5-year period (1980-19 84) Asians had significantly poorer survival, even after adjustment for pro gnostic factors. Poor treatment compliance during that period may have cont ributed to this difference. (C) 2000 Cancer Research Campaign.