Long-Term Social Outcomes of Hyperfractionated Radiation on Childhood ALL Survivors

Background/objectives Childhood cranial radiation has irreversible neurocognitive effects. Hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was randomized against conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFX) in the DFCI 87-01/91-01 trials attempting to minimize these effects. When neurocognitive testing 8-year posttreatment demonstrated no difference, this strategy was abandoned. The objective of this study was to evaluate late social outcomes among patients who received HFX compared to CFX as part of the DFCI 87-01/91-01 trials. Methods This retrospective chart review examined all patients treated according to the DFCI 87-01/91-01 trials at the McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, Canada. Patients